Spirituality in Douglas Adams's literary version of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Abstract

Spirituality in Douglas Adams's literary version of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Abstract.

This thesis contains an analysis and discussion of spiritual aspects of Douglas Adams's series The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy as it appears in literary form. Chapter one deals with literary aspects of the five Hitch Hiker volumes.The series as a whole is considered, as well as its plot and setting, its characterization and its narrative style. The possible spiritual significance of its genre is also commented upon. In chapter two spiritual aspects of the series are analyzed and discussed, with emphasis on creation myths and the concepts of enlightenment and reincarnation as they appear within the narrative. A change in the consciousness of the protagonist with regard to spiritual matters is noted and commented upon. "God's Final Message to his Creation" appears within the story, and forms part of the metaphysical speculation in the series. This message is analyzed, and is also compared and contrasted with a "last message" from the dolphin species. Both these messages contribute to the many spiritual connotations found within the narrative. Chapter three considers the concept of God or a supreme force in relation to philosophical interpretations generated by modern science. A correlation between Douglas Adams's fantasy fiction and basic concepts found within quantum physics is demonstrated and discussed. Attention is paid to the underlying premise of wholeness that they both have in common. The notion of order is also considered, with regard to its significance as a cognitive structuring device and hence as connected to the concept of meaning. This is significant because much of the Hitch Hiker plot centres on finding "the meaning of life, the universe and everything". The conclusion considers possible avenues of future research.