What determines destiny? Can we discern truth through free
will, or are there fundamental truths written for us? The narrator in Kurt
Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle uses the
religion of “Bokononism” to explain almost everything that happens to him.
Almost everyone he meets and interacts with is part of his “karass,” and many
of his actions are determined by what we would call good luck and what he would
call destiny. Similarly, Sam and Dean’s destinies are written in a prophecy
from God in “The Monster at the end of this book.” The writer of the prophecy,
Chuck, is able to predict every one of their actions, and it is later revealed
that their actions are predetermined.
However similar theses two religious outlooks may seem,
there are also important differences. Vonnegut’s concept of the karass is thus
far preoccupied with people’s interactions in the mortal world. Its truths are
not concerned with the afterlife, or even God himself, but rather destiny on
earth. It in itself is a contradiction. A Bokononist believes that humans do
not interact with God, but instead, God guides their actions through destiny.
It may have been written into Bokonon’s destiny to become a profit, however, it
is impossible to know one’s destiny, so it would be impossible for him to know
the pillars of Bokononism without using his own imagination. He even admits
that he made things up in order to make them fit and make his island home a
“paradise” (127). On the other hand, in Supernatural,
Sam and Dean seek truth through actual interaction with God and angels.
Though God also predetermines their destinies, the truth is transparent; to be
carried out by the protagonists, not found. God interacts with the human world,
whereas in Vonnegut, the narrator must search for the truth within his karass.
Though they may seem similar, Supernatrural
and Cat’s Cradle have significant
differences in their approach to truth and predetermination.
I really like this post, and I like how you broke down the sort of purposeful "plot-hole" or contradiction that is Bokonism. I think Vonnegut uses your point about how can we ever know our own destiny and want "God" wants, to show that, at some level, all religion is inherently made up. This goes back to the satire portion that we discussed in class, as Vonnegut brings out truths that we sometimes don't want or refuse to believe, like this commentary on religion.
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