Vonnegut social commentary in cats cradle Essays -- essays research pa

Social Commentary in Vonneguts Cats CradleKurt Vonneguts science fiction novel, Cats Cradle, is chocked full of social commentary, satirical humor, and an overall pessimistic view on American Society. Through the fictional religion Bokononism Vonnegut introduces us to John, a young spell who is writing a book about the day the nuclear bomb was dropped. His research led him to the late Dr. Felix Hoenikker, a brilliant scientist who was deemed the father of the atomic bomb. anxious(p) to learn more about Hoenikker from his surviving children, John followed them to the impecunious island of San Lorenzo. In San Lorenzo John was introduced to Bokononism, the dominant (yet illegal) religion of the island which among its many bizarre features, openly proclaimed that it was a total lie. While on the island, John also learned more about Ice Nine, the final project that Hoenikker created. Ice Nine ( a artless rearrangement of water molecules) had the qualification to freeze instantly any body of water, due to a complex crystalline formation. Although the ice was to be Hoenikkers great bribe to the military to freeze swamps during battle, so they could move troops more efficiently it ended up being a creation more fatal than the atomic bomb itself. Subsequently Johns adventures came to a harsh, if strangely appropriate end caused by the selfishness of human nature. The moral of the story, laced with deception, ignorance, self-indulgence, and control is that life is entirely worthless and fails to act a purpose. Yet, the comic relief and vivacity of the novel gives it power and charm, curiously contrasted with its depressing meaning.In the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to the deceased Felix Hoenikker, a man who was full of oddity and had an uncanny regard for everything scientific. Not only was he the father of the atomic bomb, but shortly before his death he created the destructive Ice Nine. With the ability to freeze anything liquid it was esse ntially the end of the world, should it get into the wrong hands. Although the original intention of the water derived destructor was to help soldiers solidify swampy muck when fighting wars, so they could easily get through was... ...uous activities he took part in at Jacks Hobby Shop. Throughout the book, Frank is described as a quiet loner, someone who was out of the social realms of normal teenage life. Frank said ...but they didnt know what really went on there. They would have been really surprised, especially the girls-- in theyd found out what really went on. The girls didnt think I knew anything about girls. (201, Vonnegut). When John asked him what he really was doing there, Frank simply said, I was screwing Jacks wife all day. (Vonnegut, 201). This was Vonneguts way of using satire and irony to show that people make skewed judgments on others based on nothing more than what they want to believe.In conclusion, Cats Cradle is a fabulously constructed book, filled with sarc asm, wit, irony, and satire to express Vonneguts personal views on Human Society. Although it ends with the destruction of the world from the lethal Ice Nine, the book is somewhat redeemed by its humorous anecdotes, and clever allusions. Vonnegut successfully portrayed his pessimistic views of our society, and opened the reader up to a completely new way of thinking in terms of human nature.