Literature
In the modern world, authors have employed science fiction as one of the mode of representing their main message and themes. Much of this science fiction is completely based on an author’s imaginative content and as such, the setting of such works of literature tends to adopt a futuristic background. Space travel, science and technology, parallel universe and time travel are some of the aspects that authors incorporate in science fiction films (Seed, 11). The essence of this genre is to explore the possible consequences of innovations that are scientific in nature. In most cases, they use science fiction to address issues such as morality, identity, desire, social structure and politics (Seed, 14). Ender’s Game and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy are works of literature that are based on science fiction. Despite their difference in settings and plot, they have aspects of aliens and space travel that are common in them. The two works, however, differ in the manner in which they utilize aspects of science fiction. This paper analyzes the two techniques and explains how this delivery has been implemented.
The concept of aliens is well explored in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In the beginning of the book, it is revealed that aliens have arrived to demolish the house that belongs to one of the characters, Arthur Dent. The reason for this was so that they can construct a bypass. The contractors’ origin is not known and as such, it is very risky to bear them. This assertion is further enhanced when Ford Prefect, Arthur’s friend, arrives and warns him of the world’s end. When Vogons, an alien race arrives to demolish the planet, both Ford and Arthur are forced to run to the ship. Despite their submission to the aliens, the two are subjected to torture and punishment, including being forced to listen to the poetry from Vogons, considered as the third worst in the planet (Adams, 45).
Aliens also play a significant role in the development of Ender’s Game but their representation in this work of literature is different from that in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. When humanity explores the universe, they encounter the ‘buggers,' which is an alien race. In regards to the intentions of the aliens, Adams writes ‘This alien race was scouting the earth system’ (Adams, 5). This quote explains the fact that the aliens were taking major moves to understand the world. Throughout the book, the reader is exposed to the interplanetary spaceflight and the mechanisms that the subjects take in order to prepare themselves in case of an outbreak. For instance, Ender Wiggin and many other children are exposed to vigorous training in the schools on how to handle the aliens. As a matter of fact, the manner that the aliens in Ender’s Game are portrayed is different from the manner that they are portrayed in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. For instance, the young persons in Ender’s Games are trained on how to cope with the situations, unlike The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Space travel has also been well portrayed in the two works. For instance, Seed writes ‘the essence of humanity exploring the universe was to master the spaceflight’ (Seed, 34). This shows that space travel was mainly employed in developing the science fiction. Much of the training and the preparation that Ender and his friends are exposed to is based on the interplanetary spaceflight. In a way, Ender and his friends are trained on how to participate in wars in zero gravity, which is well beyond the planet earth.
In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the authors employ several aspects of space travel as a means to promote science fiction. The contractors who want to demolish Arthur’s house arrive from another planet, something that Ford Prefect sees as a possible sign and warning that the world was ending. When they are forced into the ship, Arthur and Ford are jettisoned into space. However, Zapho’s ship rescues them. This is then followed by the journey to look for Magrathea, a legendary planet. All these aspects involve space travel.
In conclusion, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Ender’s Game are perfect examples of how modern literature of the science fiction genre employs the aliens and space travel in different ways to represent various themes.
Works Cited
Seed, David. Science Fiction: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Adams, Douglas. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. New York: Harmony Books, 1980. Print.
