Click for Source Image By Agnieszka Ramian
“Towel Day sees fans of the author and the book carrying towels with them to work, to school and as part of their daily activities. The most important thing that you need to remember in order to celebrate is DON’T PANIC; no matter what the day throws at you, draw comfort from the knowledge that you’re armed with your trusty towel. “– Days Of The Year.
“Towel Day sees fans of the author and the book carrying towels with them to work, to school and as part of their daily activities. The most important thing that you need to remember in order to celebrate is DON’T PANIC; no matter what the day throws at you, draw comfort from the knowledge that you’re armed with your trusty towel. “– Days Of The Year.
Click for Source Image Out of many possible ways to celebrate Towel Day, being a tribute to Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, our IWG: Book team decided to join powers and… give it a thought. What do I mean? 42. Is that answer not enough? Seriously, you have been given the Ultimate Answer and it took 7.5 million years to come up with it... Indeed, it was pleasant to talk enigmatically for a moment here, however a little re-cap will follow for those readers who did not have a chance to read Douglas’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.
In the world created by Douglas there is a supercomputer called Deep Thought. The purpose of its existence is to find the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything. Needless to explain, it occurs to be 42 and it’s a final answer. So after 7.5 million years of processing there is an answer that seems meaningless to the unknown question and what is more, generating the question turns out to be impossible for Deep Thought. Fans who continue on reading soon will learn from the third book in the series - Life, the Universe and Everything- that the answer and question cannot actually co-exist in one universe as they would cancel each other and bizarre events would then take place.
This, we certainly want to avoid, so our team won’t even try to figure out questions, our aim is to move on straight to the answers. What we did as a group to celebrate Towel Day was this: we grabbed a book laying near to us, opened it on to page 42 (coincidence) and scanned searching for “deep thoughts”. Our geeky minds then made an attempt to decode the message in relation to the mystery of life, universe and other stuff (in less than 7.5 million years – mission accomplished!) and here we present our findings:
In the world created by Douglas there is a supercomputer called Deep Thought. The purpose of its existence is to find the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything. Needless to explain, it occurs to be 42 and it’s a final answer. So after 7.5 million years of processing there is an answer that seems meaningless to the unknown question and what is more, generating the question turns out to be impossible for Deep Thought. Fans who continue on reading soon will learn from the third book in the series - Life, the Universe and Everything- that the answer and question cannot actually co-exist in one universe as they would cancel each other and bizarre events would then take place.
This, we certainly want to avoid, so our team won’t even try to figure out questions, our aim is to move on straight to the answers. What we did as a group to celebrate Towel Day was this: we grabbed a book laying near to us, opened it on to page 42 (coincidence) and scanned searching for “deep thoughts”. Our geeky minds then made an attempt to decode the message in relation to the mystery of life, universe and other stuff (in less than 7.5 million years – mission accomplished!) and here we present our findings:
Click for Source Image by Olivia Grey
‘She’s wearing a tight red sweater and a red skirt and enough makeup to scare a hooker’ - The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
You may or may not have read The Help and know which character this quote is describing, but that doesn’t matter does it? You already have a picture of this woman in your mind. With clothing described as tight and an affinity worse than a likeness to a ‘hooker’ placed on her overuse of makeup not being the most forgiving or ladylike attributes, this woman is easily interpreted as being someone who tries too hard, has no dignity and possibly has a lot to be ashamed about.
Doesn’t this tell you a lot about women’s love of analysing other women, only to gloat at their flaws and imperfections? Sure, this woman is dressed and looks a certain way, but does anybody ever ask WHY? Why is she feeling the need to force her looks to speak for her, taking away from her personality or intelligence? It is so easy nowadays to attack our fellow woman for being a ‘bitch’ or a ‘slut’ simply due to how they dress or act, and it is bullying at its very lowest to judge someone on not what you know, but simply what you can see.
‘She’s wearing a tight red sweater and a red skirt and enough makeup to scare a hooker’ - The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
You may or may not have read The Help and know which character this quote is describing, but that doesn’t matter does it? You already have a picture of this woman in your mind. With clothing described as tight and an affinity worse than a likeness to a ‘hooker’ placed on her overuse of makeup not being the most forgiving or ladylike attributes, this woman is easily interpreted as being someone who tries too hard, has no dignity and possibly has a lot to be ashamed about.
Doesn’t this tell you a lot about women’s love of analysing other women, only to gloat at their flaws and imperfections? Sure, this woman is dressed and looks a certain way, but does anybody ever ask WHY? Why is she feeling the need to force her looks to speak for her, taking away from her personality or intelligence? It is so easy nowadays to attack our fellow woman for being a ‘bitch’ or a ‘slut’ simply due to how they dress or act, and it is bullying at its very lowest to judge someone on not what you know, but simply what you can see.
Click for Source Image by Laura W
‘we’ll be very careful,” Felicity says. I can see how this will go. They will push me until I agree to take them in.’ - Rebel Angels by Libba Bray.
The quote stems from two of the characters who are trying to push the third, who also happens to be the main character, into something that she is not ready, or willing, to do. All three have lost something, and by pushing Gemma into taking them somewhere, Felicity, Ann and Gemma will all have something that they desire. Their demands symbolize something of a hold that they have over Gemma. Many can relate to this, as at one point or another, everyone feels like there is something they do not want to do, despite something that is going against their beliefs, morals and more. It shows inner conflict, as well as pressure both within oneself and pressure from the outside world.
‘Albert wriggled my nose for me as he often did and stroked my ears. He was trying to smile but could not. “I’ll find you again, you old silly,” he said quietly. “Wherever you are, I’ll find you, Joey. Take good care of him, please sir, till I find him again. There’s not another horse like him, not in the whole world – you’ll find that out. Say you promise?’ - War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.
This represents a connection between someone and their animal. However, this could also represent the connection between two humans, as well. People must part for a variety of reasons, and it allows for the emotions of loss, grief and more. They may never see each other again, so it makes the realization of this so much harder. The parting of Albert and Joey symbolizes all of this, plus the fact that Albert has had to sacrifice what he has worked so hard for – something that many of us experience in our lifetimes. We work and work for something, only for it to be ripped away from us.
‘Few of us now have seen the stars as folk saw them then – our cities and towns cast too much light into the night – but, from the village of Wall, the stars were laid out like worlds or like ideas, uncountable as the trees in a forest or the leaves on a tree. Tristan would stare into the darkness of the sky until he thought of nothing at all, and then he would go back to his bed and sleep like a dead man.' - Stardust by Neil Gaiman.
This quote could be open to a number of things. One doesn’t notice the stars when they live in the city, unless they’re looking for them – they have to search for them, go after them, whereas in other places, they’re right in plain sight. Just as one may not see the stars immediately, and they’d have to “reach” for them, one may not see the things that are right in front of them, and it wasn’t until these things were laid out in front of them that they could see them. Friends and family may already see these things, but the individual may not see them immediately.
‘we’ll be very careful,” Felicity says. I can see how this will go. They will push me until I agree to take them in.’ - Rebel Angels by Libba Bray.
The quote stems from two of the characters who are trying to push the third, who also happens to be the main character, into something that she is not ready, or willing, to do. All three have lost something, and by pushing Gemma into taking them somewhere, Felicity, Ann and Gemma will all have something that they desire. Their demands symbolize something of a hold that they have over Gemma. Many can relate to this, as at one point or another, everyone feels like there is something they do not want to do, despite something that is going against their beliefs, morals and more. It shows inner conflict, as well as pressure both within oneself and pressure from the outside world.
‘Albert wriggled my nose for me as he often did and stroked my ears. He was trying to smile but could not. “I’ll find you again, you old silly,” he said quietly. “Wherever you are, I’ll find you, Joey. Take good care of him, please sir, till I find him again. There’s not another horse like him, not in the whole world – you’ll find that out. Say you promise?’ - War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.
This represents a connection between someone and their animal. However, this could also represent the connection between two humans, as well. People must part for a variety of reasons, and it allows for the emotions of loss, grief and more. They may never see each other again, so it makes the realization of this so much harder. The parting of Albert and Joey symbolizes all of this, plus the fact that Albert has had to sacrifice what he has worked so hard for – something that many of us experience in our lifetimes. We work and work for something, only for it to be ripped away from us.
‘Few of us now have seen the stars as folk saw them then – our cities and towns cast too much light into the night – but, from the village of Wall, the stars were laid out like worlds or like ideas, uncountable as the trees in a forest or the leaves on a tree. Tristan would stare into the darkness of the sky until he thought of nothing at all, and then he would go back to his bed and sleep like a dead man.' - Stardust by Neil Gaiman.
This quote could be open to a number of things. One doesn’t notice the stars when they live in the city, unless they’re looking for them – they have to search for them, go after them, whereas in other places, they’re right in plain sight. Just as one may not see the stars immediately, and they’d have to “reach” for them, one may not see the things that are right in front of them, and it wasn’t until these things were laid out in front of them that they could see them. Friends and family may already see these things, but the individual may not see them immediately.
Click for Source Image The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling
‘Robin had noticed Alison’s contemptuous expression as she took in the dilapidated condition, and undeniable grubbiness, of the little waiting room, and she had just seen, online, the pristine, palatial office where the other woman worked. Her answer was therefore prompted by self-respect rather than any desire to protect Strike.’- The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith / J.K. Rowling.
It’s during moments like these that one’s emotions are tested, and you’re never quite sure what to do, or say. The individual may find it difficult, wondering to themselves on what may be the right thing to do, whether it’s just a brief moment or something much bigger. In this case, it’s either about protecting someone’s employer, or protecting themselves. It’s one of those moments where you have to pick between good or bad, right or wrong.
‘Hogwarts was the first and best home he had known. He and Voldemort and Snape, the abandoned boys, had all found home here.’ - Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
The quote is representative of how so many people feel. They have finally found somewhere they belong, and it feels like home. They are comfortable, happy, and feel safe, content and satisfied. In this case, Hogwarts has provided such luxuries to several people, all of whom have had similar circumstances. In real life, and in the fictional world, if something, or someone, who means so much, gets taken away, it can let someone down in so many ways. It symbolizes betrayal, loss, grief and fear, and so much more.
‘Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.’ - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley .
This quote seems to summarize itself quite easily, and seems to be quite true of human nature itself. When a sudden change, and especially when a change is great, it means a great shift in things, such as general life, emotions and more. Change symbolizes so much. It can mean new life, new emotions, a new way of thinking – but sometimes, change can be painful. It can bring heartbreak, loss, and unhappiness, amongst other factors. In Frankenstein’s particular case, it symbolizes all of these things.
‘Robin had noticed Alison’s contemptuous expression as she took in the dilapidated condition, and undeniable grubbiness, of the little waiting room, and she had just seen, online, the pristine, palatial office where the other woman worked. Her answer was therefore prompted by self-respect rather than any desire to protect Strike.’- The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith / J.K. Rowling.
It’s during moments like these that one’s emotions are tested, and you’re never quite sure what to do, or say. The individual may find it difficult, wondering to themselves on what may be the right thing to do, whether it’s just a brief moment or something much bigger. In this case, it’s either about protecting someone’s employer, or protecting themselves. It’s one of those moments where you have to pick between good or bad, right or wrong.
‘Hogwarts was the first and best home he had known. He and Voldemort and Snape, the abandoned boys, had all found home here.’ - Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.
The quote is representative of how so many people feel. They have finally found somewhere they belong, and it feels like home. They are comfortable, happy, and feel safe, content and satisfied. In this case, Hogwarts has provided such luxuries to several people, all of whom have had similar circumstances. In real life, and in the fictional world, if something, or someone, who means so much, gets taken away, it can let someone down in so many ways. It symbolizes betrayal, loss, grief and fear, and so much more.
‘Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.’ - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley .
This quote seems to summarize itself quite easily, and seems to be quite true of human nature itself. When a sudden change, and especially when a change is great, it means a great shift in things, such as general life, emotions and more. Change symbolizes so much. It can mean new life, new emotions, a new way of thinking – but sometimes, change can be painful. It can bring heartbreak, loss, and unhappiness, amongst other factors. In Frankenstein’s particular case, it symbolizes all of these things.
Click for Source Image By Gemma Williams
'Two thousand years later, Livilla Volnero tried to raise an army against the Merrovingia. She, too, had been executed. Though these events had happened centuries ago, suspicion still shrouded the Volnero like sea mist.' - Water Fire Saga: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly
This is a good quote about how people can be held responsible for other people's actions. A couple of Lucia Volnero's ancestors had tried to assassinate a royal family member or take over the kingdom of Miromara and though Lucia seems to be an unpleasant character, she does not appear to be guilty of the crimes of those before her: so why is she untrusted and blamed? People should be held accountable for their own actions only and given a chance to prove themselves before being branded traitors, and this is not the way things work, in the mer-society or ours.
'Two thousand years later, Livilla Volnero tried to raise an army against the Merrovingia. She, too, had been executed. Though these events had happened centuries ago, suspicion still shrouded the Volnero like sea mist.' - Water Fire Saga: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly
This is a good quote about how people can be held responsible for other people's actions. A couple of Lucia Volnero's ancestors had tried to assassinate a royal family member or take over the kingdom of Miromara and though Lucia seems to be an unpleasant character, she does not appear to be guilty of the crimes of those before her: so why is she untrusted and blamed? People should be held accountable for their own actions only and given a chance to prove themselves before being branded traitors, and this is not the way things work, in the mer-society or ours.
Click for Source Image by Agnieszka Ramian
‘It felt odd to go that way; she could not recall last time she had. She walked fast, to get it over with. Maybe Somiss would be asleep. If he was, she could just leave the paper and her work where he would see it and tiptoe away. Maybe.’ – Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey.
No matter how fast one wants to walk through life, the path meanders inexorably under their feet. The person whose actions this quote describes is a young woman living in isolation from the rest of the world, in badly lit caves under the mountain. While one may suggest that taking short cuts is the best way to get to the destination quicker, her attempt to do so, walking into the dark and unknown, could cost a life. Walking fast is an illusion of the choice that she has, in fact being forced to stick to the path she knows or used to know. The mentioned Somiss symbolizes an obstacle, something that prevents her from achieving her life goals; being around him is scary and limiting, yet she chooses to stay under his destructive influence, because someone who she wants to share her fate with is bound to remain loyal to Somiss. Not only this quote, but the whole book explores the net of complex and toxic ties. Walk away, let go, move on and be happy – easier said than done.
And after it is all explained and done, though the Universe apparently still has not been cancelled, it feels safe to play with the fire a bit. How many books do you want to leave the book store with? 42. How much can you spend on books this week? 42. Well, the world is still there. Maybe you know the right question?
We encourage you to pick up a debate over our findings, Ultimate is not Universal after all. Share your thoughts; we want to see at least 42 comments in here (totally random). We dedicate each number 42’s occurrence in this article to Douglas Adams and his genius book, Happy Towel Day!
‘It felt odd to go that way; she could not recall last time she had. She walked fast, to get it over with. Maybe Somiss would be asleep. If he was, she could just leave the paper and her work where he would see it and tiptoe away. Maybe.’ – Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey.
No matter how fast one wants to walk through life, the path meanders inexorably under their feet. The person whose actions this quote describes is a young woman living in isolation from the rest of the world, in badly lit caves under the mountain. While one may suggest that taking short cuts is the best way to get to the destination quicker, her attempt to do so, walking into the dark and unknown, could cost a life. Walking fast is an illusion of the choice that she has, in fact being forced to stick to the path she knows or used to know. The mentioned Somiss symbolizes an obstacle, something that prevents her from achieving her life goals; being around him is scary and limiting, yet she chooses to stay under his destructive influence, because someone who she wants to share her fate with is bound to remain loyal to Somiss. Not only this quote, but the whole book explores the net of complex and toxic ties. Walk away, let go, move on and be happy – easier said than done.
And after it is all explained and done, though the Universe apparently still has not been cancelled, it feels safe to play with the fire a bit. How many books do you want to leave the book store with? 42. How much can you spend on books this week? 42. Well, the world is still there. Maybe you know the right question?
We encourage you to pick up a debate over our findings, Ultimate is not Universal after all. Share your thoughts; we want to see at least 42 comments in here (totally random). We dedicate each number 42’s occurrence in this article to Douglas Adams and his genius book, Happy Towel Day!
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