NINE PLOT POINTS IN DOUGLAS ADAMS NOVEL HITCHIKER S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

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1 NINE PLOT POINTS IN DOUGLAS ADAMS NOVEL HITCHIKER S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY PLOT POINT 1: THE INCITING INCIDENT Provost s Definition: The inciting incident is what caused the story to kick in. It is the thing that happened to upset the equilibrium or the balance in the protagonist s life. (1998, 62) Explanation: Arthur Dent s world is being destroyed in two ways. First, his house is being demolished, and second, the planet Earth is going to be eliminated. At this point, Arthur sees yellow in the mirror and begins wondering about its significance. Suddenly he realizes what this means and races out of the house before it is demolished. Quote: He caught a glint in the shaving mirror. Yellow, he thought and stomped into the bedroom.... He vaguely remembered being angry, angry about something that seemed important. He had been telling people about it.... He stuck out his tongue. Yellow, he thought. The word wandered in his mind in search of something to connect with. Fifteen seconds later he was out of the house and lying in front of a big yellow bulldozer that was advancing up his garden path. Mr. L. Prosser (driving the bulldozer) was, as they say, only human. In other words he was a carbon-based bipedal life form descended from an ape. (Adams 1981, 8) PLOT POINT 2: THE GOAL OF THE PROTAGONIST Provost s Definition: There is something the protagonist wants. What is it? (62) Explanation: Arthur Dent, the protagonist, wants to stop Prosser from destroying his house, which is about to be bulldozed to make room for a highway bypass. Arthur asks Mr. Prosser, the bulldozer operator, why the bypass has to be built. Quote: What do you mean, why s it got to be built? Prosser said. It s a bypass. You ve got to build bypasses. Bypasses are devices that allow some people to dash from point A to point B very fast while other people dash from point B to point A very fast. People living at point C, being a point directly in between, are often given 8 3 / continues

2 to wonder what s so great about point A that so many people from point B want to get there, and what s so great about B that so many people from point A are so keen to get there. They often wish that people would just once and for all work out where the hell they wanted to be. (9) PLOT POINT 3: A PLAN OF ACTION Provost s Definition: This is how the main character decides to go about pursuing his goal. (62) Explanation: Arthur lies in front of the bulldozer to stop the destruction. Mr. Prosser, the bulldozer operator and a descendent of Genghis Kahn, threatens Arthur. Quote: Mr. Dent, he said. Hello? Yes? said Arthur. Some factual information for you. Have you any idea how much damage this bulldozer would suffer if I just let it roll straight over you? How much? said Arthur. None at all, said Mr. Prosser, and stormed nervously off wondering why his brain was filled with a thousand hairy horsemen all shouting at him. (10) PLOT POINT 4: OPPOSITION THAT CREATES CONFLICT Provost s Definition: Conflict is the primary element in all drama. Forces are trying to stop the hero. (62) Explanation: Mr. Prosser is determined to destroy Arthur s house. Arthur is determined to stop him. The conflict is at a standstill. Ford Prefect, a friend of Arthur s, talks Arthur into taking a break for a drink at the local bar. Ford asks Mr. Prosser if he would mind if both sides took a recess from the conflict. Ford is running out of time for Arthur and him to leave the Earth before it explodes. Arthur, of course, has no clue about Earth s destruction and is only worried about trusting Mr. Prosser. Quote: Arthur remained very worried. But can we trust him? he said. Myself I d trust him to the end of the Earth, said Ford. 8 4

3 Oh yes, said Arthur. And how far is that? About twelve minutes away, said Ford. (16) PLOT POINT 5: IMPORTANT STAKES Provost s Definition: The stakes must be important such as life or death, love won or love lost. (63) Explanation: Arthur thinks the stakes are saving or losing his house. However, his life is at stake if he doesn t leave the Earth. Arthur s friend Ford Prefect (an alien from the planet Betelgeuse) tries to explain to Arthur that the destruction of his house is insignificant, since the entire world is about to be demolished to make room for an intergalactic highway through Earth s solar system. Arthur doesn t believe him, but the message from the Vogon spaceships makes him realize what is about to happen. Quote: People of Earth, your attention please.... This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council. As you will no doubt be aware, the plans for the development of the outlying regions of the Galaxy require the building of a hyperspacial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is one of those scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your Earth minutes. Thank you. (25 26) PLOT POINT 6: BLEAKEST MOMENT Provost s Definition: In spite of his efforts, the worst thing possible happens to the protagonist. (63) Explanation: At that moment the dull sound of a rumbling crash from outside filtered through the low murmur of the pub, though the sound of the jukebox, through the sound of the man next to Ford hiccupping over the whisky Ford had eventually bought him. Arthur choked on his beer and leaped to his feet. Quote: What s that? he yelped. Don t worry, said Ford, they haven t started yet. Thank God for that, said Arthur, and relaxed. 8 5

4 It s probably just your house being knocked down, said Ford.... Stop you vandals! You home wreckers! bawled Arthur. You half-crazed Visigoths, stop, will you. (22) PLOT POINT 7: REVELATION Provost s Definition: The thing the main character first wanted survival, wealth, fame, health, victory, or status quo is lost or no longer valued as much. (64) Explanation: Arthur realizes that his house was not so important, considering that the life of the entire planet was at stake. Arthur is stunned as he hears Trillian criticize Zaphod, the President of the Imperial Galactic Government. Quote: Trillian: You idiot! You signed the order to destroy Earth! Zaphod: I did? Arthur: He did? Trillian: Love and kisses Zaphod? You didn t even read it, did you? Zaphod: Well, I m president, I don t have a lot of time for reading. PLOT POINT 8: DECISION Provost s Definition: The hero makes an important, often life-changing, decision. (64) Explanation: As in many humorous novels and films, this protagonist does not make a profound life-changing decision. After listening to a comment from the Hitchhiker s Guide to the Galaxy, Arthur simply decides to go to breakfast. Quote: Arthur came across this entry. It said: The history of every major galactic civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry, and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why, Where phases. For instance, the first phrase is characterized by the question How can we eat? the second by the question Why do we eat? and third by the question Where shall we have lunch? 8 6

5 He got no further before the ship s intercom buzzed into life. Hey, Earthman? You hungry, kid? said Zaphod s voice. Er, well, yes, a little peckish, I suppose, said Arthur. Okay, baby, hold tight, said Zaphod. We ll take a quick bite at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. (143) PLOT POINT 9: FULFILLMENT OF EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL HOLE Provost s Definition: The fulfillment of an emotional or psychological hole is a lifelong search for the answer to a problem that has plagued the hero. (64) Expanation: Arthur and millions of inhabitants of the universe have been asking, for generations, What is the answer to the question of life, the universe, and everything? After working on the problem for centuries, the computer Deep Thought announces the answer. Quote: Shhh, said Loonqual with a slight gesture, I think Deep Thought is preparing to speak! There was a moment s expectant pause while panels slowly came to life on the front of the console. Lights flashed on and off experimentally and settled into a businesslike pattern. A soft low hum came from the communication channel. Good morning, said Deep Thought at last. Er... good morning, O Deep Thought, said Loonqual nervously, do you have... er, that is... An answer for you? interrupted Deep Thought majestically. Yes I have. The two men shivered with expectancy. Their waiting had not been in vain. There really is one? breathed Phouchg. There really is one, confirmed Deep Thought. To everything? To the great question of life, the universe and everything? Yes. Though I don t think, added Deep Thought, that you re going to like it. 8 7

6 Tell us! All right, said Deep Thought. The answer to the great question... Yes...! Of life, the universe and everything, said Deep Thought. Yes...! Is... said Deep Thought, and paused. Yes...!...? Is... Yes...!!!...? Forty-two, said Deep Thought, with majesty and calm. (119 20) [Now that the universe has received its answer, the new question that puzzles the universe is, What is the question?] Difficult, said Frankie. He thought. How about, What s yellow and dangerous? Benjy considered this for a moment. No, no good, he said. Doesn t fit the answer. They sank into silence for a few seconds. All right, said Benjy. What do you get when you multiply six by seven? No, no, too literal, too factual, said Frankie, wouldn t sustain the punters interest. Again they thought. Then Frankie said, Here s a thought. How many roads must a man walk down? Ah! said Benjy. Aha, now that does sound promising!... Sounds very significant without actually tying you down to meaning anything at all. How many roads must a man walk down? Forty two. Excellent, excellent, that ll fox em. (135) 8 8