Editing From Hell (section)

==Interpretations and themes==
''From Hell'' was partly inspired by the title of [[Douglas Adams]]' novel ''[[Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency]]'', in that it explores the notion that to solve a crime [[holism|holistically]], one would need to solve the entire society in which it occurred.<ref>Dave Windett, Jenni Scott & Guy Lawley, "Writer From Hell: the Alan Moore Experience" (interview), ''Comics Forum'' 4, p. 46, 1993</ref>

''From Hell'' also explores Moore's ideas on the nature of time. Early on, Gull's friend [[James Hinton (surgeon)|James Hinton]] discusses his son [[Charles Howard Hinton|Howard]]'s theory of the "fourth dimension", which proposes that time is a spatial dimension. All time co-exists, and it is only the limits of our perception that make it appear to progress. Sequences of related events can be seen as shapes in the fourth dimension: history can "be said to have an architecture", as Gull puts it.<ref>Moore & Campbell, ''From Hell'' chapter 2, page 15, panel 4</ref> Gull's experiences seem to confirm this: he has visions of the 20th century during the murders, and as he is dying he experiences, and appears to influence, past and future events. Moore had earlier explored similar ideas in ''[[Watchmen]]'', where [[Doctor Manhattan]] perceives past, present and future simultaneously, and describes himself as "a puppet who can see the strings".<ref>Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons, ''Watchmen'' issue 9, page 5, panel 4</ref>

Critic [[Gary Groth]] says the most elaborate theme in ''From Hell'' stems from Moore's statement that "the Ripper murders – happening when they did and where they did – were almost like an apocalyptic summary of... that entire Victorian age."<ref>[[Groth, Gary]] (February 1991). "Last Big Words – Alan Moore on 'Marvelman', 'From Hell', 'A Small Killing,' and being published." ''[[The Comics Journal]]'' 140.</ref>