Essay Questions

How does this story differ from others in narration?

The story is entirely told from the point of view of a ghost who is watching over the characters. This is special because though it seems that the story is told in the third person, there are many sections where the ghost, Leon Trout, ponders about his own existence and past life in the first person. This style also allows for foreshadowing as the ghost is telling the story 1 million years after the bulk of it occurred. One example of this foreshadowing being used is placing stars in front of the names of characters about to die.

Why is the mention of "big brains" significant?

Big brains are significant because they are what the narrator, Leon Trout, blames for most of the troubles of the human race. He thinks that humans' large intellect led them to orchestrate their own downfall and that evolution will make more simpleminded soon (which does occur as the only survivors of the reproductive disease evolved into something similar to a penguin).

How does the Mandarax influence the plot?

The Mandarax was what got the Hiroguchis and MacIntoshes on the trip in the first place. The appearance of Akiko Hiroguchi immensely sped up the evolution of the human race after being shipwrecked as she already had fur.

When trying to find a way to call for help on the cruise ship, Adolf von Kleist, the captain, discards the Mandarax thinking that it was a less useful Gokubi. The Mandarax also gives proverbs and quotations throughout the book that the reader may find humorous due to their relation to the situations the characters are going through.