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Chapter 62
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
Six fighter planes stand by close to John and the others. Each is painted with a snake “crushing a devil to death.” “Papa” Monzano arrives in a black Cadillac limousine. He gives a signal and the crowd sing the national anthem, originally written by Bokonon: “What a rich, lucky island are we! Our enemies quail, for they know they will fail against people so reverent and free.”
John noticing the insignia on the planes is important, because it foreshadows their involvement in the chain of events that brings about the destruction at the end of the book. The national anthem is intentionally funny, mocking nationalist songs more generally. Its words are completely hollow, of course.
Themes
