As stated on the website, we are introduced to different cultural and textual codes within the text. The primary code, and perhaps the most prominant which we will focus on for this blog entry, is known as the symbolic code. This code: “Generates unresolvable oppositions (what are called “antitheses”) that structure a given conflict, and ultimately reinforce dominant cultural codes (controlling values), for instance, between male and female subjects, between those who “know” and those who are ignorant, between those who suffer and those who inflict suffering, the rich and the poor, the clever and the stupid, the simple and the complex, the rule followers and the renegades, the responsible ones and the neer-do-wells, the cops and the robbers, etc.”
Throughout THGTTG the reader is introduced to the eternal conflict between multiple sets of controlling values, one of which is the conflict of things happening by chance, leaving all those in the universe at the mercy of pure coincidence, and the idea that there is some predetermined path for all to follow, with some sort of greater scheme laid out for the future of the universe at large.
The idea that the earth is being destroyed to make way for a bypass, along with the fact that Arthur’s house was being bulldozed for similar reasons
The fact that, in the infinite, vast nature of space, Arthur always seems to be in the right place at the right time in order to be rescued, against all odds. An example of this is when Arthur is ejected from the Vogon ship only to be rescued, and the fact that they were even able to escape the Earth’s destruction at all by hitchhiking onto the ship. The insane coincidence is discussed by Trillian and Zaphod after they pick Arthur and Ford up in space:
“Anyway,” said Trillian, turning her back to the controls, “I didn’t pick them up.”
“What do you mean? Who picked them up then?”
“The ship did.”
“Huh?”
“The ship did. All by itself.”
“Huh?”
“While we were in Improbability Drive.”
“But that’s incredible.”
“No Zaphod. Just very very improbable.” (Douglas 90).
The conversation between Trillian and Zaphod demonstrates the conflict between what seems like coincidence and what seems like a planned event. On one hand, Trillian is saying it is “very very improbable” and even turns away from the controls to as if to say she had no control in the situation. It was pure coincidence. The example could also be viewed from the point of that all things in the universe are predetermined to some extent, rather than being chaotic. Zaphod is confused that there was no one acting, repeating “Huh?” because it is mind boggling to him that no one was in control. His first reaction is “Who picked them up then” because there is always a “who.” As a reader, we are also going “Huh?” We are taught that in stories, everything happens for a reason or that the protagonist is following his fate or that someone off screen is helping him. Even though Trillian says it’s improbable, the phrase “The ship did. All by itself” implies that the ship had the control, even though as an inanimate object it doesn’t. Humans strive to believe that something is in control and that there is an order to things. And maybe there is some greater force at play that wants/needs Arthur and his comrades to update the HHGTTG and accomplish all that they do along the way. But maybe it is also just an improbable coincidence that Arthur and Ford got rescued again.No matter what, the values of order and chaos are struggling against each other, as demonstrated by this symbolic code.
Aside from the aforementioned controlling values, THHGTTG also introduces a conflict between the ways in which people react to what is happening in the universe, along with their general tendencies to embrace either the chaotic nature that they perceive, or follow the orderly, planned values established by their cultures.
The earliest example of this is established in the meeting between Ford and Mr. Prosser. Mr. Prosser firmly represents those who adhere strictly to the molds and regulations set by their society, believing the universe to be a fairly orderly place with laws that must be followed, even if they don’t make all that much sense, and even if they might be inconvenient or unpleasant for some. Ford, on the other hand, represents those who embrace and support the more chaotic nature of the universe at large, moving with the flow as they perceive it, and adapting to whatever situation presents itself without a second thought, or even the slightest hint of a need to cling to a sense of order, or a strict set of rules.
Early on in the book, for the most part, the chaotic nature of the universe appears to be the controlling value which prevails, as is seen with the destruction of the planet earth and Mr. Prosser, who would never think of leaving the earth and the comfort of his orderly rules, and the continued success of Arthur and his comrades through sheer luck and happenstance.
An excellent example of this conflict between the opposing controlling values represented by Prosser and Arthur can be found on page 13 of THHGTTG, where it states that Mr. Prosser finally “realized that he was substantially the loser after all, it was as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders: this was more like the world as he knew it.” This quote clearly demonstrates how Mr. Prosser clings to his sense of order and complacency within firmly established roles in society to such a degree that, even in instances where he comes out as the loser, he is still satisfied simply because it is in line with his values and self-worth.
Overall, the appearance and usage of the symbolic code within THHGTTG serves to strengthen the narrative by adding an interesting dynamic to the setting, and the scenario at large; a scenario that, at first glance, may seem like a relatively simple take at British humor with a setting in outer space. On the contrary, the dynamic offered by the opposition of the controling values within the narrative force the reader to question their own significance in a universe that is not only vast beyond human comprehension, but can also sometimes seem to be unfeeling, and uncaring when it comes to the daily life of a single individual.
How Writers Read 
Hi Jordan! I really enjoyed reading your insightful blog, however, I feel as though it may benefit from the addition of GIPHs, Memes, or varying fonts to break up the text a bit. I know that you focused heavily on the symbolic and cultural codes that you found evident in the book. I decided to go back through the text and focus on the Hermeneutic Code. One instance that stuck out the most to me, was the quest to find the answer to the great truth. I used the Hermeneutic code to break down what the author was trying to achieve. I only focused on instances that illustrated the proposal of the enigma, snare, jamming, and partial answer.
Proposal of the enigma- On P.167 We are introduced to two programmers (named Lunkwill and Fook) who ask Deep thought, the second greatest computer in the universe of time and space, what the answer is to the great question…
“O Deep thought computer,’ he said “the task we have designed you to perform is this. We want you to tell us…” he paused, “the answer!”
“The answer? Said deep thought. “The answer to what?”
“Life!” urged Fook.
“The Universe!” said Lunkwill
“Everything!” they said in chorus.
In this section, we as readers are introduced to this mysterious question. I believe that Douglas Adams used this specific question as a way to interpellate the reader into playing the role of the addressee. Most of us, at one point or another, has questioned the meaning of life. Why are we here? Why is life so short? What is our purpose? By posing a question such as this one, Adams is able to grab the reader’s attention and pull them into the text. The reader wonders along with the character what the answer could be.
3. Snare- It is then on P.170 that Majikthise and Vroomfondel come barging into the room and interrupt our thinking of the answer. Both men are philosophers who are trying to put a stop to the computer answering the ultimate truth because they would be out of a job. By this intrusion, we are more motivated to read on and find the answer because it seems secretive now. When I read this part, I was thinking to myself, “No! No! Please don’t interrupt the computer! I need the answer!”
4. Jamming- After the build up of suspense of almost not receiving the answer. We are let down again when the computer admits how long it will take to come up with the answer. (P. 173)
“But the program will take me a little while to run.”
Fook glanced impatiently at his watch
“How long?” he said.
“Seven and a half million years.” said deep thought.
This section of the text, really built drove the suspense home and threw its final grip around the reader. Now you are sucked in and desperate to read on to find the answer. I felt myself getting antsy and wanting to read more, as if this book truly had the answer.
5. Partial answer- The day of the answer. The day we have all been waiting for which for me felt like I had waited the seven and a half million years. Only to find out the answer was not exactly what anyone expected. (P. 182)
“Forty-two!” yelled Loonquawl. “Is that all you’ve got to show for seven and a half million years’ work?”
“I checked it very thoroughly,” said the computer, “and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you’ve never actually known what the question is.”
Boom. Mind Blown! Now I know that as a reader I was sucked in for the long haul. I needed to read on the find what the question was now. I wracked my brain over it more than I would like to admit.
LikeLike
Pingback: Don’t Put That Fish in My Ear – How Writers Read
Hey Jordan! Good job! I wanted to provide you with some examples of the Semic Code- which “Defines characters, objects, and places through repetitively grouping a number of signifiers”.
Computer planet- The Earth is a computer designed by Deep Thought to discover the Ultimate Question to the Ultimate Answer, 42. Multiple times in the text, Deep Thought and the Mice associate the Earth with a computer. On page 183, Deep Thought says that it will design a computer of “such infinite and subtle complexity that organic life itself shall form part of its operational matrix…And it shall be called… the Earth.” Slartbartfast and his race are like computer technicians, and on page 192 he says, “Deep Thought designed the Earth, we built it and you lived on it.” The mice on page 199 also say, “…We have, as you know, been more or less running your planet for the last ten million years in order to find this wretched thing called the Ultimate Question.” Basically, the Earth was just a tool for many advanced races to find out a peince of information.
Throughout the novel, Arthur has been called “Earthman” and “Earth creature”. Zaphod refers to Arthur by this, almost in a derogatory way. Arthur is a lower, more primitive being. The mice refer to Arthur as this, as if he is a small piece of a computer. He is unimportant expect he is one of the last remnants of the destroyed planet.
LikeLike
Jordan, I enjoyed reading your blog but I wanted to draw some attention to the Proairetic Code in THGTTG.
The Proairetic code deals with issues of cause and effect, it leads the reader to predict that something will happen because of a previous sequence of events. In THGTTG from the beginning the reader experiences impending doom through Arthur, and then is saved in improbable ways. By the end of the story the reader assumes, or predicts, that when something threatens Arthur’s life it will be thwarted in an improbable way.
First, Arthur is confronted by the destruction of the Earth. He is saved by a friend who is a hitchhiking alien.
Next, Arthur is dumped into deep space by the Vogons. He is then picked up by the Heart of Gold at the last possible second.
Then, Arthur is about to be blown up by missiles. He is yet again saved.
Oh no, not again.
These recurring events lead the reader to predict that further instances of near death for Arthur will only end in an improbable savior. If Arthur’s brain was taken in the end, and the proairetic code circumvented, readers would have been shocked, and in my opinion very displeased.
LikeLike