Ford Prefect is a remarkable, elemental figure of comic relief in the novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a sci-fi by the legendary Douglas Adams. An adventuring hitchhiker through space, he and his best friend, Arthur Dent, embark on a quest to find the purpose of the universe. He brings out the humor and a broader view of events in the novel, and is the only other protagonist apart from Arthur who endures mostly the same problems, and yet his approach to these problems and witty characteristics are what makes him a very different character. He is Arthur's closest companion, the writer and presenter of the Guide to the Galaxy. He is wise, buoyant and levelheaded. Thus, he is the main hitchhiker in the novel, and brings about a sense of sheer dramatic irony and humor into the story amidst a tangled plot.
Firstly, Ford Prefect is an overall omniscient character - nothing can surprise him or shake his conscience. His home planet destroyed many years ago, he had been made to wander and explore the galaxy on his own, hitchhiking along the way. His experiences in space shape much of his character. This is revealed to us very early in the novel, when he arrives on the scene, warning everybody within hearing range that the world they lived on, Earth, is about to end. He feels the need to warn his best friend as well, and pulls him into the local bar in order to spill the news to him without shocking him with information. He often knows what will happen and how, and this is what makes him the utopian writer of the Guide to the Galaxy - having underwent many experiences, he is normally armed and ready for anything, and has a fearless disposition. He predicted the Vogon's reactions to hitchhiking intruders on their ship when th...
... middle of paper ...
...ly, "Ah. It's been demolished...It just boiled away into space." Ford remains a consistent character throughout while Arthur gains much experience and confidence from him.
Conclusively, Ford Prefect is a unique, preeminent character who is both funny, charming, composed and knowledgeable in contrast with the other characters in the story. He is the ingenious, commonsensical writer of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and acts as the personified version of the book itself. Nothing can shake his framework, and he effortlessly weaves in and out of trouble and conflict with confidence and optimism, making the worst situation seem less menacing. It's mostly due to him the book is such a comedy, from cover to cover, and he is certainly a memorable character from Adams's famous story.
Works Cited
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 1979. 23/12/2013
The main character says, “Look under the seat for my flashlight, boy” (Pancake 87). The narrator then notes, “He bends forward, grabbing under the seat, and his head is turned for me. But I am way too tired now, and I don’t want to clean the seat” (Pancake 87). From the context you can observe that he starts his process in killing the hitchhiker but decides against it. As he has gotten to know the hitchhiker throughout the ride he sees that he no longer wants to kill him. Then, the main character comments, “He hops to the ground, and I watch him walking backward, thumbing” (Pancake 87-88). You can conclude that he finally comes to the realization that these hitchhikers deserve to live despite his recent losses. In sum, this is the major turning point in the story because this is when he finally overcomes his obsession of murdering the
Describe the main character in the book (or one of the main characters). In the first third of the novel, what do you learn about this character’s personality, appearance, and history (if known)? What is your initial reaction to this character? I think that Atticus Finch is the main character, even though he isn't narrating, and the story isn't being told from his perspective, he does hold a large influence in everybody's life in the story. Atticus Finch is very posh and sophisticated, he has very strong values and stays true to his
Like Abner, Henry Ford himself was not able to escape the unintended darkness he was creating. He was no longer the Henry Ford, who cared for the people, but a puppet of his money and power. Henry Ford drives by Tom and his wife are dragging themselves in the street and asks his chauffeur what is the matter prior to both men disregarding her as just “another drunk” before speeding away (Upton 212).
Henry Ford was a captain of industry. He owned Ford Motors, which was an automobile company. Ford was a man who always wanted his own way and he got it most of the time. The creation he is most famous for is the FORD MODEL T, the car for the commoners. His car became an instant hit amongst the people- the local people and the working class of people because it was very affordable and was not just for the rich. Ford was a very successful businessman but not particularly a nice guy. He expected a lot from his workers but thing is that he also cared for his workers, because he knew that not only were they dependent on him but also that he depended upon them, they were the ones due to which he was gaining popularity and success throughout America. Ford’s great strength was the manufacturing process for his cars. Instead of having people put together the entire car he created organized teams that added parts to the Model T as it moved down the assembly line, this lowered the production prices and also the time and energy required to put together the cars.
The core character of a novel is responsible for maintaining the stability of society within the novel, exhibiting qualities of a true hero, and constantly emphasizing the novel’s central themes. In the classic, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch serves as the core of the novel by displaying a character of stability, humility, and high moral standards.
The use of suspense in “The Hitchhiker,” keeps the audience in a state of panic, wondering what the outcome will be. The protagonist looks back upon the torturous six days, remembering his protective mother, and the commonplace traveler. Fear mixed with suspicion, he identifies the hitchhiker on the most inappropriate hitchhiking roads, set on terminating the foreboding individual. Leaving the audience at the climax, Adams believes the hitchhiker must be mortal, and therefore able to hinder, yet the fact of Adams’ unknown identity and his total isolation, prevent his ability to take
Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States of America. He became president right after Richard Nixon resigned in 1974. This was not an expected time to have a new president. Ford said, “I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances … This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts (thewhitehouse.gov pg. 1).” While Ford had not planned to be a president, he still did great tasks, served 25 years in Congress, and he did his best.
Henry (Harrison Ford) suffered injuries to his brain after being shot in the head when he went to go buy cigarettes from a local shop. When he was shot, the bullet went into his right frontal lobe; the part of the brain that is responsible for decision making and language. Henry was also shot in his subclavian artery, which brought him into cardiac arrest and eventually anoxia. Due to the bullet to the head, Henry’s loss of memory has affected his social behavior by causing him to act less educated than he used to as well as by making him feel uncomfortable around people that he knew before the accident. His work life and family life were changed due to him not being able to remember his own family, co-workers, or what to do at his own job.
Actions of treatment really set Ford Apart from other slave owners. Ford provided Northup with proper care and a level respect as he was referenced as the “smartest nigger in the pines” (63). The respectable actions of Ford seemed to be inflicted on his ranking within society provided he was still a slave owner but believing in the fair treatment of slaves. This was shown in many case but primarily when Ford forces John. M Tibeats to sell or hire him out due the inhumanly treatment. (98) Having this amount of respect from a slave master seemed to be a real scarcity; “during my residence with Master Ford I had seen the bright Side of Slavery”. Even though Ford may be brought up as one of the “kinder masters” of the time it’s also provides that it could be overlooked in one major aspect. Ford was a still an active slave owner while he treated them well in comparison to the others it was still a weak point within
A primary piece of literature related by Harry Bennett offering personal insights in the life of Henry Ford, including conspiracy and controversy.
Henry Ford was one of the greatest inventors of the 20th century. Brilliant and eccentric are words that where used to describe him. His vision was to help create the middle class in the US. By raising wages and raise free time. His greatest inventions where the assembly line, and the T- model car, each revolutionized the car industry. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford and is now the second largest U.S based automaker, and the fifth largest in the world. On April 7th 1947 at the age of 83, Ford died in his home in Dearborn Michigan
John Ford John Ford was an American motion picture director. Winner of four Academy Awards, and is known as one of America’s great film directors. He began his career in the film industry around 1913. According to Ellis, Ford’s style is evident in both the themes he is drawn toward and the visual treatment of those themes, in his direction of the camera and in what’s in front of it. Although he began his career in the silent film area and continued to work fruitfully for decades after the thirties, Ford reached creative maturity in the thirties.
In Henry’s younger days, it was usual for farmers to make things they needed. The ford farm had a gristmill, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop, and a weaving machine. As Henry grew older, he was expected to help with the farm work. Henry hated to plow, to plant, and milk cows; all he enjoyed was the machinery.
When Henry Ford was born on June 30th, 1863, neither him nor anyone for that matter, knew what an important role he would take in the future of mankind. Ford saw his first car when he was 12. He and his father where riding into Detroit at the time. At that moment, he knew what he wanted to do with his life: he wanted to make a difference in the automobile industry. Through out his life, he achieved this in an extraordinary way. That is why he will always be remembered in everyone’s heart. Whenever you drive down the road in your car, you can thank all of it to Henry Ford. Through his life he accomplished extraordinary achievements such as going from a poor farm boy to a wealthy inventor who helped Thomas Edison. When he was a young man, he figured out how to use simple inventions, such as the light bulb. He then taught himself the design of a steamboat engine. His goal was to build a horse-less carriage. He had come up with several designs and in 1896, he produced his first car, the Model A. When Ford’s first car came out, he had been interviewed by a reporter and when asked about the history of the car, he had said “History is more or less bunk.” Ford worked in Thomas Edison’s factory for years and the left to become an apprentice for a car-producer in Detroit. While working there, he established how he was going to make the car.
The beginning of our plot introduces both Adams and the hitchhiker, but not all is right with the free traveling man. He seems to constantly follow Adams, “Crossing the Brooklyn bridge in the rain that morning, I saw a man leaning agains the cable poles.” (page 1002 The Hitchhiker) being as the first time he sees the man, Ronald Adams doesn't think much of it. Until he sees the man again, the mood getting a tad eerie. “I would have forgotten about him, except a hour later I saw him again.” (page 1002 The Hitchhiker)