Cat’s Cradle written by Kurt Vonnegut and Catch-22 by Joseph Heller are two novels published only two years apart from each other, with two different messages that they portray. Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle focuses around the idea of religion and it’s “bittersweet lies” that a modern man must address in the apocalyptic setting of the book. Heller’s Catch-22 is an anti-war book that is set during World War II that one solider realizes the reality of war, politics and the importance of the control power brings. Both authors use satirical targets numerous times throughout to depict the message of the novels. By definition, a satire is “a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn.” (Merriam-Webster) Both of these authors use this satirical idea to express their views on the issues the novels concern.
Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle is a satire written about a fictional religion and the humanistic side of the atomic bomb. Bokononism focuses itself around humanity and technology instead of one central force that religion usually relies on. One of the opening statements of the novel that introduces you to what the atmosphere is, “All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies.” (Vonnegut pg. 5) This paradoxical statement announces the overall satirical tone of the novel. The author constantly shows the readers that the idea of an actually traditional religion is not the correct way of living and you should focus on the presence of actual human beings and human interaction. This is more important to society
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Cat’s Cradle shows us that technology is not always a good thing. Catch-22 shows us the reality of war and that politics is everything. However, each of these novels have great life lessons that many can benefit from, while still enjoying a good laugh with the