The Futility of Human Endeavors Anonymous College

The book Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut utilizes satire and parody to comment on the critical issues of religion and science. The story takes place in fictitious settings, first in a town in New York, Ilium while the rest takes place in the island country, San Lorenzo (Vonnegut). The hardcover which was published in 1963 contrasts two human concepts, religion, and science, to determine their significance to the world and humanity. Vonnegut describes science as a means of unraveling the truth and religion as a construct built on lies and deception for the greater good. The truth behind science is a tool that is misused by humanity for financial gains and the destruction of the universe. Similarly, the lack of meaning in life or the pursuit of meaning creates lies through religion. The novel incorporates various literary devices such as satire and parody to criticize the idiocies and shortcomings of human constructs in society. The constant theme explored in the book is the covetous and self-centered nature of humanity in both science and religion. In the novel, the ideals of science as represented by Ilium, where the search for truth through science is viewed as constructive though Vonnegut criticizes scientific knowledge due to...