Cat’s Cradle

Cat’s Cradle

by

Kurt Vonnegut

Cat’s Cradle: Chapter 109 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
John asks Frank, as his “general,” how he proposes to clean up “this mess.” Frank suggests they sweep up the big pieces ice-nine, melt them in a bucket, and blowtorch “every square inch of floor with a blowtorch, in case there are any crystals.” In an eureka moment, he proposes that they burn the bodies on a funeral pyre by the hook.
Considering the devastating simplicity of ice-nine, the reader senses that this clean-up operation is doomed to failure (and has been informed as much by John throughout). These actions therefore have an air of desperation—it’s too late.
Themes
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Absurdity and Meaninglessness Theme Icon
As Frank goes to leave in order to fetch the tools they need, Angela asks, “How could you give it to a man like “Papa” Monzano?” Contemptuously, Frank says that he’s acted in the same as she did to get a “tomcat husband,” and Newt did to buy “himself a week … with a Russian midget” (Zinka).
The truth about the Hoenikkers is exposed—each of them used ice-nine for personal gain.
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