h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It is great to see entries on the subject at hand, ie: the works of Douglas Adams. This is h2g2 after all, his greatest idea.

And we are all here because of ideas generated by DNA. Every entry that pays tribute or speculates on those ideas has my full support.

thanks,
~jwf~

I have a few questions about the plot of DGHDA. I just re-read it for the second time since I first read it in the late 80's and I still just don't exactly get what the ending means. I think that part of the problem is that if I ever read the Colderidge poem, I don't remember it well enough to see how it relates to the plot of the book. How did Dirk's distracting of Colderidge thwart the ghost's plan ? What is the act of defacement or vandalism (I don't have the book handy right now to get the exact wording)--which I assume refers to the change made in the poem as a result of Dirk's distraction--and how does this acheive the desired result ? Somebody help me out and don't be afraid to spell it all out--I won't be insulted. Answers can also be emailed to me at [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from someone; I've got to go to work.