Objectives: Today we will discuss Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut's satirical commentary on the Cold War. We will focus primarily on the first half of the text, prior to the narrator's arrival in San Lorenzo. We will continue to discuss the novel on Thursday.

Questions:

1. How does Vonnegut depict the Cold War, and the place of Americans within it?

2. How does Vonnegut represent Felix Hoenikker? How does Hoenikker's fathering of the atom bomb compare to his fathering of his children?

3. What does Felix have in common with his son Frank? How are they different?

4. In the early sections of the novel, how does Vonnegut represent the military-industrial complex? What is the significance of Dr. Asa Breed?

5. What is the significance of the novel's title?

6. How does the journey to San Lorenzo contribute to Vonnegut's commentary on Cold War America?

7. What is the importance of Bokononism?

8. How does Vonnegut represent the relationship between science and religion?

9. How does the novel function as a satire? How does Vonnegut use humor and absurdity to illuminate the tensions and shortcomings of Cold War America?

I'm not going to include specific passages here because there are just too many from which to choose. I look forward to discussing the novel with you in class!