Choice and Direction in the Writings of Kurt Vonnegut Jr....

Choice and Direction in the Writings of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Satire in American literature has evolved in response to the development of the American mind, its increasing use of free will, and the context that surrounds this notion. Satire is the biting wit that authors (labeled satirists) bring to their literature to expose and mock the follies of society. Satirists can be divided, however, into two groups with very different purposes. One type mocks simply for the enjoyment of mocking. These satirists are found almost everywhere in the world, on every street corner, household, and television sitcom. It is the second type of satirist who is a strong force in the world of literature. The satirical author will mock to†¦show more content†¦The complexities of institutions such as business and government are confusing the sense of direction needed in order to prosper, causing a spiritual decline that results in the warping of the publics morals. Vonnegut also feels that the American attitude of dwelling on the worst events of li fe is contributing this loss of spirit. Vonnegut offers solutions to this problem in Slaughterhouse Five, as he introduces new ways of perceiving our lives. With the increasing amount of free will that is being granted to people around the world, many have no sense of how to use it. Vonnegut is particularly upset with the way that Americans are living and the way in which society is moving. Through his literature, he offers a path for the use of free will with the notion that all people are given the opportunity to better themselves. Through the bettering of the individual comes the bettering of society. Vonneguts last addition to the literary world is his wantonly satirical novel Timequake. Timequake is devoted to the concept of free will and its dominance in nature. In this novel Vonnegut forces people to take a step back and look at how the human race is doing: At 2:27 p.m. on February 13th of the year 2001, the Universe suffered a crisis in self-confidence. Should it go on expanding indefinitely? (32) At the end of thisprocess of imploding, however, the universe begins expanding once again on February