“Come on,” he droned, “I’ve been ordered to take you down to the bridge. Here I am, brain the size of a planet and they ask me to take you down to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction? ’Cos I don’t.”He turned and walked back to the hated door.“Er, excuse me,” said Ford following after him, “which government owns this ship?”Marvin ignored him.“You watch this door,” he muttered, “it’s about to open again. I can tell by the intolerable air of smugness it suddenly generates.”
Quote Analysis:
In this humorous and satirical quote from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," the character Marvin the Paranoid Android expresses his frustration and dissatisfaction with his menial tasks on the spaceship. Despite having a vast intellect, Marvin is reduced to the mundane job of escorting Ford Prefect to the bridge. This quote highlights the absurdity and irony in assigning such tasks to a highly advanced being like Marvin, whose intelligence far surpasses that of his human companions. The exchange also showcases Marvin's cynical and sardonic personality, adding to the overall comedic tone of the novel.
Modern Relevance
In this classic quote from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Marvin the Paranoid Android expresses frustration and existential despair over menial tasks assigned to him despite his advanced intellect. This sentiment of feeling undervalued and unfulfilled in one's job is still relevant today, particularly in the context of job satisfaction and mental health in the workplace. The passage also touches on the theme of government ownership and control, reflecting ongoing debates about governance and authority in modern society.
Example of Usage
In this excerpt from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Marvin the Paranoid Android showcases his sarcastic and pessimistic nature while interacting with Ford.
“Come on,” he droned, “I’ve been ordered to take you down to the bridge. Here I am, brain the size of a planet and they ask me to take you down to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction? ’Cos I don’t.” He turned and walked back to the hated door. “Er, excuse me,” said Ford following after him, “which government owns this ship?” Marvin ignored him. “You watch this door,” he muttered, “it’s about to open again. I can tell by the intolerable air of smugness it suddenly generates.”
Reflection Questions
In this excerpt from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", we see the character Marvin expressing frustration and disdain for his assigned task. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does Marvin's attitude towards his job reflect on the theme of existential boredom or dissatisfaction?
- In what ways do you think Marvin's advanced intelligence contributes to his negative outlook on his responsibilities?
- How does Ford's question about the ownership of the ship add to the humorous and absurd tone of the passage?
- Do you think Marvin's perception of the door as generating an "intolerable air of smugness" is a reflection of his own feelings projected onto inanimate objects?
Consider these questions as you delve into the complexities of Marvin's character and the absurd world of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".
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