I should also add that as well as meaning that he wished to overcome his enemies (bi-polarism etc) it might just be that Steven Fry wanted an enigmatic title for his book. I will add that I didn't learn this from my RI teacher (Yes, RI, I went to a catholic comprehensive) and that the teacher I remember most was Mr Utley. He made sure my brother left school with enough qualifications to get a decent job and the chance of further education when the other teachers had given up on him.