I think "To not die" was often his primary desire.
Negative desires are hard to work, though. They're not uncommon in real life, but they don't usually make a great story.
I'm just, uh, just feeling kinda... truthsome right now. And, uh... life's just too damn short for ifs and maybes.
Mal ,'Heart Of Gold'
Natter 68: Bork Bork Bork
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Amy - Apr 11, 2011 4:57:18 pm PDT #2827 of 30001
Because books.
Ginger - Apr 11, 2011 4:59:10 pm PDT #2828 of 30001
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda
I think Arthur wanted to go home. I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
DavidS - Apr 11, 2011 5:01:09 pm PDT #2829 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
What did Arthur Dent want?
He wanted a cozy, unexceptional British middle-age. It was actually a pretty strong urge on his part, but life, the universe and everything conspired against it.
tommyrot - Apr 11, 2011 5:01:25 pm PDT #2830 of 30001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
That article says 'no', which I agree with.
§ ita § - Apr 11, 2011 5:03:13 pm PDT #2831 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
I don't know that the protagonist has to want something that's possible.
For the purposes of the article, which is to create a compelling story, it has to be something that can be striven towards.
DavidS - Apr 11, 2011 5:08:41 pm PDT #2832 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Hitchhiker's Guide is basically a comedy of manners disguised as a space opera. All of the characters are comic staples transplanted from a 19th century British novel into the future.
§ ita § - Apr 11, 2011 5:16:24 pm PDT #2833 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
How does that address desire?
billytea - Apr 11, 2011 5:17:02 pm PDT #2834 of 30001
You were a wrong baby who grew up wrong. The wrong kind of wrong. It's better you hear it from a friend.
For the purposes of the article, which is to create a compelling story, it has to be something that can be striven towards.
I think this may hit why I find Terry Pratchett's novels to make better stories. The Hitchhiker's Guide series is funny as hell, but characterisation and plot never felt that strong to me.
Gudanov - Apr 11, 2011 5:19:30 pm PDT #2835 of 30001
Coding and Sleeping
I got the call that my grandfather isn't expected to live the week. It's official, today sucks.
Polter-Cow - Apr 11, 2011 5:20:05 pm PDT #2836 of 30001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I'm sorry, Gud.