Cats Cradle Kurt Vonnegut Vonnegut Bio He was

Cat’s Cradle Kurt Vonnegut

Vonnegut Bio • He was born and died. – So it goes. • Grew up in Indianapolis. • Fought in World War II. • Taught at the University of Iowa. • And he wrote.

Humanism • An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. • Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems. • Vonnegut was the honorary president of the American Humanist Association and his views on humanity are apparent throughout all of his works.

Vonnegut’s Style Satire Black Humor • The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. • A comic work that employs farce and morbid humor, which, in its simplest form, is humor that makes light of subject matter usually considered taboo. • Black comedy is often controversial due to its subject matter.

Cat’s Cradle • Published in 1963 • Satire on many topics – Religion – Science – Technology • Response to the arms race of the cold war • Introduces many new ‘words’ – keep track of them in your notes

Important Themes • • • Truth vs. Good vs. Right Lies (and their benefits) Meaninglessness of Life Religion vs. Science Technological Growth Abuse of Technology Beliefs Desire Happiness

Cat’s Cradle Vocabulary List 1 List 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Benign Gait Charlatan Ceremonious Antithesis Cloister Mawkish Copious Banana republic (not the store) Luminous Flax Pompadour Chagrin Indignant Flue Peevish Trestle Avocation Squalor Cadaverous Cantilever Apoplexy Reticule Nihilism

Our Introduction Nothing in this book is true. “Live by the foma* that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy. ” The Books of Bokonon. I: 5 * Harmless untruths • Everything in a Vonnegut book is there for a specific reason. • The Books of Bokonon are an important part of the story – be sure to keep track of what they say and mean • Why start the book with this quote from TBo. B? – In what position does this put the reader?