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 looks at San Lorenzo from above. It is barren and stony, with just one city: Bolivar. The book tells John that McCabe and Bokonon planned for San Lorenzo’s total income to be divided equally between its inhabitants—but it never generated any money.
McCabe and Bokonon’s first plan is more in line with Karl Marx than with free market ideals. San Lorenzo, however, seems immune to any kind of economic development.