Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle (Book Analysis)

This practical and insightful reading guide offers a complete summary and analysis of Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. It provides a thorough exploration of the novel’s plot, characters and main themes, as well as the social and political context which influenced its author. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.

This clear and detailed 27-page reading guide is structured as follows:

• Biography of Pierre Boulle
• Presentation of Planet of the Apes
• Summary of Planet of the Apes
• Character study
  • Humans
  • The great apes
• Analysis of Planet of the Apes
  • Actantial model
  • Narrative outline
  • Narrative devices
  • A critique of society
  • The notion of time
  • Darwinism

About Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes is a science fiction novel which tells the story of a man named Ulysse and his companions, who discover a planet similar to Earth where monkeys have evolved so much that they have become the dominant species. The novel was published during the 1960s and was influenced by the events of the time, including in particular the Space Race, the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Planet of the Apes has given rise to eight film adaptations, two television series and several comic books.

About Pierre Boulle

Pierre Boulle was a prolific French author who wrote around 30 novels, many short stories, several essays and a play adapted from his first novel. He was an engineer by trade and served as a secret agent in the Second World War, when he was deployed to Indochina before being captured by the Japanese and sentenced to forced labor. He later drew on these experiences in his writing. Boulle is best known for his novels The Bridge over the River Kwai and Planet of the Apes, both of which have been adapted into successful films.