Cat's Cradle Lesson Plan

How do Philip and Julian Castle embody and respond to the Bokononist belief that all human travails are ultimately fruitless?

Philip Castle's story about fighting the bubonic plague with his father encapsulates one of the central tenets of Bokononism quite well. Julian realized at a certain point that he was fighting a losing battle, well aware of the irony of being a doctor with no cure. The fruitlessness of his efforts did not upset Julian, however, but rather lent a sort of levity to the situation. His response was to find humor in it.

Be sure to bring the discussion back to Philip in the present day. Focus on the fact that Philip doesn't seem particularly troubled...