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The Postmodernist Dystopian Fiction: The Case of Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle

Author: LeiYueZhu
Tutor: LinYuanFu
School: Fujian Normal University
Course: English Language and Literature
Keywords: Cat’s Cradle dystopia anti-utopian thoughts technophobia tendency social critique
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Type: Master's thesis
Year: 2009
Downloads: 113
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Abstract


Kurt Vonnegut is one of the most important figures in contemporary American literature in the twentieth century. Using techniques that can be conveniently characterized as the "postmodernist", Vonnegut is well known for keen observations and subtle critiques of modern society. Cat’s Cradle is one of the most apocalyptic works by Vonnegut. The author employs science fiction to help his readers to stop and think about human weakness and social problems; his satirical jabs focus on issues of science, technology and religion.This thesis, with the very intention to identify Cat’s Cradle as a works of dystopian fiction, hopes to introduce a fresh perspective for a better understanding of Vonnegut’s outlooks. The thesis begins with a brief overview on the definition, features and the development history of dystopian fiction. It then discusses, via textual analysis, three major thematic concerns of dystopian literature contained in the novel:anti-utopian thoughts, penchant for social critiques and technophobia tendency, thus establishing Cat’s Cradle as a works of dystopian fiction. I finally sketch the postmodernist techniques employed in the novel to help outline Vonnegut’s humanism concerns and his warning against abusing the achievements of science and technology.

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