Understanding Religion Through Kurt Vonneguts Cats...

Understanding Religion Through Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle The following is issued as a warning from the author Kurt Vonnegut to the reader: Any one unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either(14). The latter quote is typical of Vonnegut in his usage of creating a personal narrative. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was born in Indianapolis, like many of his characters, in 1922. His life from that point on closely resembles the lives of the people in his satirical novel Cats Cradle. Vonneguts mother committed suicide when he was twenty two years old and in many of his novels the character of the mother is dead.†¦show more content†¦There are actually three different writers at work in the story. First and foremost is the author Kurt Vonnegut. The narrator he creates in his novel is called John, or Jonah as he tells the reader to refer to him (Vonnegut 1), and he frequently recites passages from The Books of Bokonon written by a fictional religious guru Bokonon (Reed 125). All three hold true to a passage from another of Vonneguts books lies told for the sake of artistic effect...can be.. the most beguiling forms of truth(Vonnegut Editors Note) Though Jonah is most closely linked to representing Vonnegut, Bokonon is the most interesting character created on the Island of San Lorenzo where most of the book takes place. By having this central yet elusive character invent a religion openly based on lies, Vonnegut demonstrates societys blind dependency on religion: I wanted all things To seem to make some sense, So we all could be happy, yes, Instead of tense. And I made up lies So that they all fit nice, And I made this sad world A par-a-dise (Vonnegut 90) The latter quote describing why Bokonon, christened Lionel Boyd Johnson on the Island of Tobago in 1891 (Vonnegut 74), invented Bokononism is said to be found in Bokonons Calypsos, or short poems/songs. When Bokonon wasShow MoreRelatedThe Role of Religion and Morality in Cats Cradle Essay959 Words   |  4 PagesThe Role of Religion and Morality in Cats Cradle As an author, Kurt Vonnegut has received just about every kind of praise an author can receive: his works held the same sway over American philosophy as did those of Jack Kerouac or J.R.R. Tolkein; his writing has received acclaim from academics and the masses alike; and three of his books have been made into feature films. Society has permanently and noticeably been altered by his writing. Through accessible language and easily-understoodRead More Kurt Vonnegut Essay2033 Words   |  9 PagesKurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is a contemporary American author whose works have been described by Richard Giannone as comic masks covering the tragic farce that is our contemporary life (Draper, 3784). Vonneguts life has had a number of significant influences on his works. Influences from his personal philosophy, his life and experiences, and his family are evident elements in his works. Among his comic masks are three novels: Cats Cradle, The Sirens of Titan, and God Bless You, MrRead More Postmodernist Features in Vonneguts Cats Cradle2907 Words   |  12 PagesPostmodernist Features in Vonneguts Cats Cradle Cats Cradle is a book, which enables many points for literary discussions. One possible topic of them could be the postmodernist features in this book. In this examination Ihab Hassans essay Toward a Concept of Postmodernism was used as a source of secondary literature for defining of postmodernist features. The most visible and prevalent features are postmodernist metonymy, treatment of the character, dynamicRead More Vonneguts Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cats Cradle Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesVonneguts Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cats Cradle If humans strive to fulfill their void, of a lack of meaning in their lives, their folly will blind them from the truth. Kurt Vonnegut portrays his inner emotions and feelings of the insignificance of religion through the characters of his novel, Cats Cradle. His satiric approach to a subject that many people base their daily existence upon, challenges the readers faith. As people search for a deeperRead More Crusaders of Truth in Cats Cradle and Pi Essay1012 Words   |  5 PagesCrusaders of Truth in Cats Cradle and Pi      Ã‚  Ã‚   In our world, people are constantly searching for the truth, or answers for things that seem unexplainable. On a quest to make the uncertainties of life easier, or more reasonable, some people have invented tools such as religion, and deemed them truthful. People such as Felix Hoenikker from Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle, and Max Cohen from Darren Aronofskys film Pi, resist such inventions and see a different definition of truth, which is scienceRead More Comparing Themes in Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five1905 Words   |  8 PagesThemes in Cat’s Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Throughout his career, Kurt Vonnegut has used writing as a tool to convey penetrating messages and ominous warnings about our society. He skillfully combines vivid imagery with a distinctly satirical and anecdotal style to explore complex issues such as religion and war. Two of his most well known, and most gripping, novels that embody this subtle talent are Cats Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five. Both books represent Vonnegut’s genius forRead MoreThe Life and Writings of Kurt Vonnegut Essay2248 Words   |  9 PagesKurt Vonnegut is celebrated as one of the most successful novelist in the Post-Second World War period in the America. His literary works have had varied impacts on American culture, including the use of the word â€Å"karass† amongst college students, the naming of the pop groups â€Å"Ice Nine Kills† and â€Å"The Billy Pilgrims†, and the frequent use of the term â€Å"So it goes† as written in Vonnegut’s obituary on the New York Times (Farrell, p.ix). This article examines the impacts of Vonnegut’s on his literaryRead MoreCat s Cradle By Kurt Vonnegut1859 Words   |  8 Pages Cat’s Cradle is a children’s game in which a string, tied at both ends to make a loop, is used to make different shapes. Coincidentally, this is the game from where Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Cat’s Cradle gets its name. The story follows John, a journalist who is researching to write a book about the day the atomic bombs were dropped in Japan. Following through his journey, John finds himself meeting the Hoenikker household; family to Felix Hoenikker, who is frequently called â€Å"the father of the atomicRead More Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Essays3848 Words   |  16 PagesKurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five Great artists have the ability to step back from society and see the absurd circus that their world has become. Such satirists use their creative work to reveal the comic elements of an absurd world and incite a change in society; examples include Stanley Kubrick’s film, Dr. Strangelove, and Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch-22. Both works rose above their more serious counterparts to capture the critical voice of a generation dissatisfied with a nation of