Vonneguts Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cats Cradle Essay -- Cats Cra

Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's 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, Cat's Cradle. His satiric approach to a subject that many people base their daily existence upon, challenges the readers faith. As people search for a deeper meaning in their lives, the more confused they become. Only to become entwined in the Cat 's Cradle of life. In the beginning, the reader is warned: "Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either" (5-6). The theme throughout the entire novel is set as, religion is based on lies to give people something to believe, and find meaning in. Vonnegut created a religion in his novel, Bokonism, founded by a man named Bokonon. Through lies, and short poems, Bokonon spreads his religion to the people of San Lorenzo, a small desolate island with no future. "All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies."(5) Vonnegut, through the ideals of Bokononism, gives the reader insight into the notion that all religions are based on lies, and un-truths. When Bokonon, christened Lionel Boyd Johnson, arrived at the Island of San Lorenzo, he saw the place as a disaster, which would yield no economic wealth or prosperity. Theonly way that he saw possible for of this place to become a utopia was to invent lies in which the people could base their existence. These lies would convince the people ... ... of human existence is "protein" (24). This fact of science intensifies the conclusion that human existence is futile without meaning, such a meaning that religion provides. However, that is just the statement that Vonnegut expects the people of the world to make. The void that humans feel a need to fill, with thoughts such as religion, will never be filled; the search for meaning is never-ending. Just like an endless, pointless game of Cat's Cradle. Bokonon, in his infinite wisdom knew not to take his own advice and the validity of it was null. There is no truth, there is no meaning, "No damn cat, and no damn cradle" (66). Bibliography Vonnegut, Kurt: Cat's Cradle Delta Books 1998. (287 pages) Price, Liana: Understanding Religion Through Cat's Cradle (http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/kv_religion.html) Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's Cradle Essay -- Cat's Cra Vonnegut's Nihilistic Views Exposed in Cat's 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, Cat's Cradle. His satiric approach to a subject that many people base their daily existence upon, challenges the readers faith. As people search for a deeper meaning in their lives, the more confused they become. Only to become entwined in the Cat 's Cradle of life. In the beginning, the reader is warned: "Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either" (5-6). The theme throughout the entire novel is set as, religion is based on lies to give people something to believe, and find meaning in. Vonnegut created a religion in his novel, Bokonism, founded by a man named Bokonon. Through lies, and short poems, Bokonon spreads his religion to the people of San Lorenzo, a small desolate island with no future. "All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies."(5) Vonnegut, through the ideals of Bokononism, gives the reader insight into the notion that all religions are based on lies, and un-truths. When Bokonon, christened Lionel Boyd Johnson, arrived at the Island of San Lorenzo, he saw the place as a disaster, which would yield no economic wealth or prosperity. Theonly way that he saw possible for of this place to become a utopia was to invent lies in which the people could base their existence. These lies would convince the people ... ... of human existence is "protein" (24). This fact of science intensifies the conclusion that human existence is futile without meaning, such a meaning that religion provides. However, that is just the statement that Vonnegut expects the people of the world to make. The void that humans feel a need to fill, with thoughts such as religion, will never be filled; the search for meaning is never-ending. Just like an endless, pointless game of Cat's Cradle. Bokonon, in his infinite wisdom knew not to take his own advice and the validity of it was null. There is no truth, there is no meaning, "No damn cat, and no damn cradle" (66). Bibliography Vonnegut, Kurt: Cat's Cradle Delta Books 1998. (287 pages) Price, Liana: Understanding Religion Through Cat's Cradle (http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/4953/kv_religion.html)