I think a big thing throughout Cats Cradle was that people made the most of their situations. Hoenikker’s
children barely mourned his death and after discovering his invention they
quickly began dividing it up. The kids use Ice 9 to be happy though not always
knowing it. Frank bought himself a job with a title by giving Papa Monzano some
Ice 9. Angela was able to get herself a husband with Ice 9. And even Newt got
himself a relationship even though it was short lived and Newt had his Ice 9
stolen. Also Jonah made the most of his situation when he willingly accepted
the idea of being President of San Lorenzo the second he heard about marrying
Mona. We discussed a bit in class how religion and science gave people
happiness and even a meaning in life. But if we are not given direction by
science or religion is life given meaning by looking out for self-interest
above all else? It can even be said that all of Jonah’s ideas of making San
Lorenzo a great place to live was more about making him known as a great leader
then helping the people themselves. The only people who don’t seem to be
looking out for themselves were the Castles, who sacrificed their lives to help
others, if anyone at all. People always try to give life meaning but maybe
helping others is the greatest thing one can do. Even if it is part of human
nature to put ones interest over others does that make it right? Also, if it is
in the best interest of others to lie to them and make up false tension is that
okay?
I like your view of power of ice nine. I also feel that the flakes of ice nine represent the life of Felix Hoenikker in each vial. It truly shows that though the fathers of destructive inventions may die off, their knowledge and destructive power live on.
ReplyDeleteIn that case, could we consider self-interest as a driving force behind this "history of human stupidity"? Putting aside the issue of authorial intent, it does shed some interesting light onto the commentary of the story, and parallel some of the themes that are represented within.
ReplyDeleteFor example, maybe the most triumphant example of self-interest is capitalism; the "invisible hand" or the self-interested demands of an entire population control the market of an entire country. Because the entire market is created by the individual consumers, often blind to overarching economic forces, we can consider it a kind of human stupidity. It also serves as a point of dynamic tension. Oftentimes markets succeed or fail depending on whether or not people who constitute it believe the market will succeed or fail. Self-interest and belief are powerful forces in economics, and mesh surprisingly well with the themes presented in Cat's Cradle.