<Li> Arthur C. Clarke's theory of the future symbiosis of man and machine, expanded by Kubrick into what Wheat calls "a spoofy three - evolutionary leaps scenario": ape to man, an abortive leap from man to machine, and a final, successful leap from man to' Star Child' . </Li> <P> Wheat uses acronyms, as evidence to support his theories . For example, of the name Heywood R. Floyd, he writes "He suggests Helen--Helen of Troy . Wood suggests wooden horse--the Trojan Horse . And oy suggests Troy ." Of the remaining letters, he suggests "Y is Spanish for and . R, F, and L, in turn, are in ReFLect ." Finally, noting that D can stand for downfall, Wheat concludes that Floyd's name has a hidden meaning: "Helen and Wooden Horse Reflect Troy's Downfall". </P> <P> As with many elements of the film, the iconic monolith has been subject to countless interpretations, including religious, alchemical, historical, and evolutionary . To some extent, the very way in which it appears and is presented allows the viewer to project onto it all manner of ideas relating to the film . The Monolith in the movie seems to represent and even trigger epic transitions in the history of human evolution, evolution of man from ape - like beings to civilised people, hence the odyssey of mankind . </P> <P> Vincent LoBrutto's biography of Kubrick notes that for many, Clarke's novel is the key to understanding the monolith . Similarly, Geduld observes that "the monolith...has a very simple explanation in Clarke's novel", though she later asserts that even the novel does not fully explain the ending . </P>

What does the ending to 2001 space odyssey mean