“Literature should not disappear up its own asshole, so to speak.”

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1922-2007)

“Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.”

Early Life Born in Indianapolis, Indiana but lived and worked in Iowa, Chicago, and New York. Taught creative writing at University of Iowa Worked as a publicist at General Electric Went to Cornell University Studied chemistry Dropped out and enlisted in the army Never finished his Bachelor’s Degree* Fought in World War II Captured by Germans in Battle of the Bulge (1944)

“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion “Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”

Tragedy Mother committed suicide in 1944 Captured by the Germans in WWII Sent to Dresden Witnessed firebombing Wrote Slaughterhouse-Five 20 years later Sister and brother-in-law died in same week Vonnegut adopted their four children Attempted suicide in 1984

“Thanks to TV and for the convenience of TV, you can only be one of two kinds of human beings, either a liberal or a conservative.”

Beliefs and Values Vonnegut was a Humanist. Humanists: Believe in the importance of human beings rather than a supreme being Advocate human dignity and responsibility Consider man the solution to man’s problems Think scientifically, rejecting the supernatural and superstition Advocated free speech throughout his career. Adamant opposition to war and senseless violence. Considers Mark Twain to be the finest American writer. Named his son Mark.

“When I write, I feel like an armless, legless man with a crayon in his mouth.”

Major Works Cat’s Cradle (1963) – Vonnegut’s 3rd novel. Out of print by 1966, but now seen as a remarkable success. Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) – Vonnegut’s most famous work. Firebombing of Dresden, WWII, time travel, aliens, and more! Breakfast of Champions (1973) – Vonnegut’s 50th birthday present to himself. Draws pictures throughout the novel .

"I have been a soreheaded occupant of a file drawer labeled 'science fiction' ever since, and I would like out, particularly since so many serious critics regularly mistake the drawer for a urinal."

“I think that novels that leave out technology misrepresent life as badly as Victorians misrepresented life by leaving out sex.”

Characteristics of Writing Learned to write in a journalistic style (direct and concise) Focuses on technology and science as a way of exploring humanity. All his works are rich with satire, irony, and absurdity. Repeats phrases such as “So it goes,” “Listen:,” and “And so on.” Uses the same characters in multiple books (but does not write a series).

“Any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae.”