Doomsday Book Essay
Doomsday Book Essay
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity” – Albert Einstein
In Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, this is certainly evident through various characters and subplots. James Dunworthy, a teacher at Balliol University, shows his indifference towards other people’s needs around him and only thinks of those he cares most about. A student named Kivrin that is sent back through time to the 14th century, disregards her safety and terribly misjudges her greatest ally as her greatest fear. Finally, Mrs. Gaddson, the mother of a student named William, only believes in the best of her son while he seems to be not as innocent as she suspects. All of these characters are either naïve towards other peoples or their own physical and emotional needs.
James Dunworthy is a wonderfully talented teacher at Balliol. His favorite pupil, the one he also feels the most empathy for, is Kivrin. This girl has decided to embark on an expedition to the 14th century. After much anticipation and finally, after the transporting had been finished, a technical operator named Badri Chandhuri comes, shivering and wet, into the restaurant where all of the scientists participating on this project are situated. Dunworthy asks if he has received the fix on the situation, whether or not there had been a mistake in where Kivrin has been dropped. Badri responds “Yes” to successfully receiving the fix and a doctor, Mary, goes to get him a Brandy. When she returns, he looks at the drink as if he has never seen one before. He is dazed, confused, shivering violently, and is brought to a hospital when he finally collapses:
If I could speak to Badri, ask him what he’d meant when he said, “Something wrong,” make certain the drop had gone properly and that there hadn’t been too much slippage, I might be able to stop worrying. (Willis, 94)
Although the man was seriously ill and lying in a hospital bed, all Dunworthy could think of was whether or not Kivrin was okay.
Kivrin longs to travel to the 14th century more than anything else. She even takes more heed in this than her own safety. The Middle Ages were filled with thieves, rapists, murderers, and most of all, disease. Instead of paying attention to details, as she should, and playing by the rules, Kivrin accepts the fact that Gilchrist is rushing the starting date of the journey....