Previous
Chapter 103
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Cat’s Cradle, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Science and Morality
Religion
Governance, Politics, and Nationhood
Absurdity and Meaninglessness
Summary
Analysis
Mona largely ignores John but speaks to the other guests. Present-day John ponders “the meaning of that girl,” wondering if she represents “the highest form of female spirituality” or “a cold fish.”
Mona is a paradox. She could be interpreted as a stoic being, spiritually advanced enough to quietly accept the flaws of those around her—or she is just genuinely detached from care.
Themes
John, as a leader, feels newfound respect for Crosby and wants the bicycle factory to be built. Julian tells him the inhabitants are interested in only three things: “fishing, fornication, and Bokononism.” John asks if they’d be interested in progress; only in the “electric guitar,” replies Julian.
Julian’s speech to John is comically absurd, but the point is to ask whether what he’s saying can apply to humankind generally. Perhaps all people are really driven by is reproduction, survival, and needing something to believe in.
Themes
John rejoins Frank, Hazel, and H. Lowe Crosby. Frank is explaining to them that Bokonon is “against science,” which Crosby can’t understand. Hazel asks her husband for the name of the substance that once saved his life, which he tells her is “sulfathiazole.”
Crosby equates science with progress. Sulfathiazole is an antimicrobial drug less common these days.
Themes
