Chapter 35 Summary

That night on the ship, everyone enjoys some hard-won relaxation. Arthur flips through Ford's copy of The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to learn more about his new home. He comes across an entry describing the three phases every civilization goes through: Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication. The first phase, it says, is characterized by the question "How can we eat?" The second by "Why do we eat?" and the third by "Where shall we have lunch?" Just then Zaphod buzzes over the intercom asking if Arthur is hungry. At his affirmative reply Zaphod answers, "OK baby, hold tight…We'll take in a quick bite at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe."

Chapter 35 Analysis

The book's final philosophical musings about the three phases of civilization may be facetious, but there is also a ring of truth that takes the humor to...