In all pieces of literature there is something to be understood, whether it be the exact words written on the page or a hidden meaning behind the words. In the novel Cat’s Cradle the author Kurt Vonnegut uses satire as constructive criticism for society. If the reader is not looking for this satire they might miss the satire completely and need to seek outside sources beyond the novel itself to understand Vonnegut’s humor. In order to interrupt Vonnegut’s novel the reader must connect broad topics such as religion and government to the novel’s version; Lionel Johnson and “Papa” Monzano. An example of Satire that Vonnegut uses that is difficult to understand or glean from the novel is the humor between science and religion.
In Vonnegut’s novel …show more content…
Vonnegut’s fictional religion Bokonism is an honest religion, “Nothing in this book is true. Live by the forma that makes you brave and kind and healthy and happy”(Vonnegut 6) Although Bokonism, which represents religion, is made up of lies the religion is able to give hope and reason to humanity; whereas, according to Vonnegut, science, without some form of religion, destroys humanities hope for a greater purpose. Vonnegut uses ice-nine and Bokonism to show how societies morals are twisted; that society, against lies, prefers religion to science, the preferred truth. Vonnegut, through this novel shows that society prefers lies because religion makes a society feel as though it can be useful, and thus continue to exist.
To prove his point even further Vonnegut creates a type of parallel scenario for his readers to show how religion is a lie and science is truthful. Vonnegut has the “world” end by ice-nine or science, rather than by religion or a greater power from beyond. The irony of the “end” to Vonnegut’s novel is that most religions teach its followers that the world will not end by a scientific discovery or catastrophic natural occurring event, but by an otherworldly power. Which if the reader knows to look for this; they would be able to see Vonnegut’s criticism on
In Vonnegut’s novel …show more content…
Vonnegut’s fictional religion Bokonism is an honest religion, “Nothing in this book is true. Live by the forma that makes you brave and kind and healthy and happy”(Vonnegut 6) Although Bokonism, which represents religion, is made up of lies the religion is able to give hope and reason to humanity; whereas, according to Vonnegut, science, without some form of religion, destroys humanities hope for a greater purpose. Vonnegut uses ice-nine and Bokonism to show how societies morals are twisted; that society, against lies, prefers religion to science, the preferred truth. Vonnegut, through this novel shows that society prefers lies because religion makes a society feel as though it can be useful, and thus continue to exist.
To prove his point even further Vonnegut creates a type of parallel scenario for his readers to show how religion is a lie and science is truthful. Vonnegut has the “world” end by ice-nine or science, rather than by religion or a greater power from beyond. The irony of the “end” to Vonnegut’s novel is that most religions teach its followers that the world will not end by a scientific discovery or catastrophic natural occurring event, but by an otherworldly power. Which if the reader knows to look for this; they would be able to see Vonnegut’s criticism on