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Chapter 39
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
John is then assigned by a magazine to do a story in San Lorenzo. This isn’t meant to be about “Papa” or Frank, but Julian Castle. Castle is an American sugar millionaire who, at the age of forty, founded a “free hospital” in the San Lorenzo jungle. His son, Philip Castle, runs the hotel—Casa Mona—at which John plans to stay. John is mostly excited by the possibility of meeting Mona.
No explanation is given as to Julian’s transformation from ruthless entrepreneur to philanthropist. Philip’s hotel is named after Mona, with whom he is in love (they were both tutored by Bokonon as children).
Themes
