How Absurd!
The Earth is destroyed to make way for this type of construction project.
A hyperspace bypass
This literary device, often used in Vogon poetry, involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds.
Alliteration
Earth’s demolition parallels the demolition of this smaller structure in Arthur’s life.
His house
Ford’s home planet is located near this well-known star.
Betelgeuse
The search for the Ultimate Question is a metaphor for this existential pursuit.
Search for meaning
Arthur Dent lies in front of this to protest its demolition, paralleling the absurdity of Earth’s fate.
A bulldozer
Vogon poetry is famously described in this science fiction book as the worst poetry in the universe.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Earth’s role in the cosmic experiment was to help discover this philosophical concept.
Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything
Ford Prefect has been stranded on Earth for this many years before the story begins.
15
The Guide’s casual tone about catastrophic events reflects this existential theme.
Trivialization of meaning
This object translates alien languages instantly.
Babel fish
In Vogon poetry, this type of imagery is used to evoke disgust or absurdity.
Grotesque imagery
The destruction of Earth is announced with this kind of bureaucratic message.
A public planning notice
Ford’s alien nature is hinted at by his odd behavior and this unusual item he always carries.
A towel
Arthur’s protest against the bulldozer is symbolic of this existential struggle.
Resistance against meaningless systems
Absurdism is highlighted when Ford and Arthur survive space ejection thanks to this improbable event.
Being picked up by a Vogon spaceship at the last second
_This invented word appears in a sample Vogon poem: “Oh freddled _______, thy micturations are to me…”
Gruntbuggly
This person survives Earth's destruction, much to Arthur's surprise.
Trillian
Ford uses this clever trick to get both himself and Arthur rescued from Earth moments before it’s destroyed.
Hitchhiking aboard a Vogon constructor fleet
The randomness of Ford and Arthur’s survival after being ejected into space illustrates this existential concept.
The absurdity of chance
The Guide’s advice to “Don’t Panic” is absurdly simple in the face of this galactic catastrophe.
The destruction of Earth
Vogon poetry intentionally breaks traditional poetic rules. Name one way it does this.
Using nonsensical metaphors / awkward phrasing / jarring rhythm
The destruction of Earth is especially absurd because this critical cosmic experiment was just moments away from completion.
The calculation of the Ultimate Question
Ford warns Arthur that Vogons are known for this unpleasant cultural trait.
Terrible poetry
The fact that Earth was part of a cosmic experiment without human knowledge reflects this existential idea.
Illusion of significance