Cat's Cradle is a novel that depicts the end of the world to a deadly compound known as ice-9. Throughout the course of the novel, various aspects of society are satirized based upon writer Kurt Vonnegut’s philosophy. One of the first characters introduced in the novel, Dr. Felix Hoenikker, is a satire of scientific neutrality. Another character that is introduced is H. Lowe Crosby, a satire of capitalism. In addition to this, John, the narrator of the story, is a satire of the common man. Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut, depicts the end of the world due to ice-9 in order to convey that the progression of science and technology cannot continue unchecked, man must care for his fellow man in order to preserve humanity, and that religion is important in society for helping people do the right thing. Dr. Felix Hoenikker is a larger than life, almost cartoonish character who serves as a satire of amorality in science. Dr. Hoenikker was one of …show more content…
Lowe Crosby serves as a satire for capitalism. The reason that Crosby travels to San Lorenzo is to build a bike factory. His first bicycle factory was closed down because the working conditions were inhumane. He is travelling to San Lorenzo in order to create a new factory under the previous conditions. In his own words, “The people down there are poor enough and scared enough and ignorant enough to have some common sense!” (Vonnegut 89). In his opinion, the people of San Lorenzo are meant to make him bicycles, as if it is their job to do so. He believes that “Papa” Manzano’s dictatorship is a good thing, disregarding the inhumane punishments for minor crimes. Crosby does not care about other people, he only cares about making a profit, which is a large concept that stems from capitalism. To Vonnegut, this type of mentality is what is wrong with the world. This is why he opposes capitalism, because capitalism causes indifference between men, and man has a need to love his fellow man. Capitalism stands in the way of that
Kurt Vonnegut writes pessimistic novels, or at least he did back in the sixties. Between Slaughterhouse Five, Mother Night, and Cat's Cradle, Vonnegut paints a cynical and satirical picture of the degradation of society using distortion as the primary means to express himself. In Cat's Cradle, the reader is confronted with the story of the narrator, John, as he attempts to gather material to write a book on the human aspect of the day Japan was bombed. As the story progresses, he finds that becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish reality from illusion. He meets up with a midget, a dictator, and a nation's object of lust as his journey progresses, and he eventually ends up the sole leader of a remote island and witnesses the end of the world. Using implausible stories and unbelievable characters and situations to convey his message, Vonnegut's utilization of literary distortion allows him to move the reader and prove his point in a far greater way than he could by just blatantly shouting his opinions. "Anyone unable to understand how useful a religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either"(16), states the narrator, concerning Cat's Cradle. Throughout the text, Vonnegut uses the religion of Bokononism, which is a fictitious faith founded on the basis of deception, to establish that people can prosper and be happy under false beliefs. When two men founded the island nation of San Lorenzo, Cat's Cradle's model for society, it was...
"No one is born a racist bigot. In other words, racial bigotry or racial prejudice is not genetically or
middle of paper ... ... It is clear that although Vonnegut's picture of the modern man is often bleak, he never totally abandons the glimmer of hope that accompanies the fact that life has its moments of grandeur. He encourages the modern reader to escape the question "why me" and urges us to embrace a philosophy that consistently reminds us that even in the midst of the most cruel (and the most celebrated) events, humanity retains all of its virtue and vice.
I think one thing that Vonnegut is trying to show us is that man too easily accepts things as valid without questioning. Refering to this, Newt, another character, says, "No wonder kids grow up crazy. A cat's cradle is nothing but a bunch of X's between somebody's hands, and little kids look and look and look at all those X's…No damn cat, and no damn cradle" (114).
...a bunch of X's between somebody's hands, and little kids look and look and look at all those X's ... No damn cat, no damn cradle.”(Vonnegut, 105) In Cat’s Cradle Vonnegut critiques the many institutions and dogmas that we hold close to our heart. Vonnegut proposes the idea that the human life lacks purpose and any attempt to acquiring knowledge is futile because as he wrote in the story there’s “No damn cat, no damn cradle”(Vonnegut, 105) meaning there is no truth. In Vonnegut’s satire, Cat’s Cradle he closely examines the conventions of religious dogmas and the search for the truth through science. Vonnegut’s core satire in the book is the Bokononism , religion accepted by the citizens of San Lorenzo regardless of it’s self-acknowledged lies. Today science is seen as the key to progress but Vonnegut dismisses that notion and displays it’s dangerous repercussions.
Comedy and Satire are two very common, yet different genres used in literature. Comedy is most commonly used to be humorous and amusing, whereas, satire is usually defined as a piece of work intended to criticize serious topics or problems going on in the real world. Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest very specifically chose to incorporate these two genres to push his own beliefs. In the 1950’s, younger generations of America’s population began to question conformity and the ethics of institutions like the one Kesey wrote about in Cuckoo’s Nest. Like many others in this younger generation, Kesey was considered a hippie and part of many counter-culture groups going against the government. Ken Kesey’s novel One Flew Over
Cat's Cradle is, "Vonnegut's most highly praised novel. Filled with humor and unforgettable characters, this apocalyptic story tells of Earth's ultimate end, and presents a vision of the future that is both darkly fantastic and funny, as Vonnegut weaves a satirical commentary on modern man and his madness" (Barnes and Noble n.pag). In Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut uses satire as a vehicle for threatened self-destruction when he designs the government of San Lorenzo. In addition, the Bokonists practice of Boko-maru, and if the world is going to end in total self destruction and ruin, then people will die, no matter how good people are and what religion people believe.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut was written in 1963. "It is a satirical commentary on modern man and his madness" (back cover). It is a book that counters almost every aspect of our society. As well as satire, Vonnegut also includes apocalyptic elements in this novel.
...s. Vonnegut points out truth in the small diversionsof life like the Boko-maru while pointing out the absurdity and falsehood of the large diversions.
In his book The Future of Life, Edward O. Wilson uses a satirical approach to exemplify the reasons that extremely bias passages are unproductive and somewhat ridiculous. The two passages given represent two opposing views: one from an extreme environmentalist viewpoint, and the other from an extremely conservative or "people-first" point of view. Wilson's use of satire and mockery creates bias in both passages by including hyperbolic and unacademic justifications in order to illustrate the ineffectiveness of the arguments.
There is a direct link in Book I and Book IV of the Once and Future King from the animation and adventure that Wart experiences to the fall of King Arthur’s reign. The shift is long and detailed but in the end everything ties together. Although at points the plot is grim, White throws in a little bit of satire throughout every book, for example in Book II when the Orkney environment is harsh but then it is contradicted by the behavior of Sir Pellinore, Sir Grummore, and Sir Palomides. In Book III, it is very descriptive and tedious with a darker tone, but then also is offset by Lancelot’s adventures. It is evident that the tone changes drastically from Book I to Book IV but what I noticed, is that the same themes and ideas are expressed within these two books.
Although Alexander Pope's, "The Rape Of The Lock" and Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" are both witty satires, they differ on their style, intention, and mood.
Petronius’ Satyricon takes full advantage of satire to bring certain aspects of ancient Roman society to the forefront. Satire is used for both humor and for proving points in an over the top manner using exaggeration and overemphasis, and Satyricon is full of both. While there are examples of this throughout the book there are a few aspects that are especially relevant during “Trimalchio’s Dinner Party.” Two of the biggest areas of society that he is making fun of in the dinner scene are the interchangeability of history and mythology, and the unquestioning position given by status and privilege. Outside of the dinner scene, there are exaggerations abounding with regards to sexuality, and more specifically homosexuality. All of these combine
In “A Modest Proposal” several forms of satire are demonstrated throughout the story. Satire is defined as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose or criticize people’s stupidity or vices. (Google) In "A Modest Proposal" Swift uses parody which is a form of satire. Parody is primarily making fun of something to create a humorous feel for it. In “A Modest Proposal,” Swift uses parody to make fun of the people and children of Ireland, expressing the children as delicious food to be eaten.
Satire in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedy of manners, whereby Oscar Wilde uses satire to ridicule marriage, love and the mentality of the Victorian aristocratic society. It can also be referred to as satirical comedy. What is a satire and what is Oscar Wilde trying to emphasize by employing it in his play?