Often when I see people discuss Vonnegut, they talk about how confusing his books are. A lot of the time it seems to me like they’re reading the science fiction, but not picking up on the satire and social commentary.
To me, the social commentary is what makes me love him. The commentary is what draws me in. The science fiction is secondary, but the way that he uses it to make his points is amazing.
Are people picking up on this?
by Uteraz
4 Comments
I’m not sure if I didn’t pick up on it or simply didn’t appreciate it. It was so interesting to find out that Vonnegut was dear friends with Heller bc I also didn’t enjoy catch 22.
God help anyone who does not see it
Yes. Slaughter House Five made me think of PTSD instead of just the scifi element. The confusion of time and terrible dreams.
Cat’s Cradle about nuclear proliferation especially with smaller nations. But that footsie thing, made me think that Vonnegut has experienced cheating on his wife with someone younger who flirted with everyone and felt dirty after having sex with her.
There’s multiple plot and themes running in his stories. I tend to look at it from the writer’s inspiration.
Ive talked to people who get too hung up on the existence of Tralfamadorians and not what they show and how they affect the protagonist, they’re trying to make sense of it like a hard sci-fi technicality and not as a literary device. I agree that the science fiction is purely secondary to the social commentary ( as is true with a lot of sci-fi)