In Case You Couldn't Get Enough of This Strange Vonnegut Character..

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

"I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. "

 "One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us."

(Vonnegut's signature)

"The purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved."

Finding Meaning In A Meaningless World

Existentialism. This philosophy is the core of The Sirens of Titan. The story revolves around the main character Malachi Constant (who later becomes Unk when he gets to Mars) and his journey to find purpose and happiness.

Malachi Constant became the richest man in America through luck. Eventually, his luck ran out and he lost all his money and was kidnapped and taken to Mars to be trained in the army that was planned to attack Earth. The story then jumps to a point where Unk/Malachi Constant's mind has been erased and made into a blank slate. Soon the ships take off for war but Unk and his commanding general, Boaz, are on a ship that crashes into Mercury. Boaz ends up staying on Mercury because that is where he finds happiness and Unk fixes the ship and heads off to earth. On earth, Unk is ironically praised by a world that despises Malachi Constant. Rumfoord, the man who sent Unk to Mars in the first place, reveals to the world that Unk is Malachi Constant and then banishes him to Titan with Beatrice Rumfoord, his wife, and Chrono, his son.

Unk is a victim of cruel incidents during his search for happiness and purpose. The irony of it all, is that Unk never truly finds happiness. The only thing Unk wants is to gather his wife, son, and best friend and steal away to a planet where they can all live happily ever after. However, "Unk's plans were nebulous"(1).

Beginning on Mars, Unk's mind becomes a blank slate. Vonnegut implies that the mind of a man can become blank, but then it is subject to change because of one's experiences and surroundings. This shows that the making of a man's mind is due to unexpected forces that we cannot control. Throughout the story Unk faces many struggles during his conquest. It is almost as if Unk is running a race and constantly jumping over hurdles. On his first day with a new mind, Unk is forced to execute his best friend on Mars. Next, Unk ends up on Mercury with his commander Boaz. Boaz does not help Unk fix the ship because Boaz wants to stay on Mercury and never leave where as Unk wants to leave and find his family. By the time Unk gets to Earth, his arrival is already planned out for him. Under the new religion that Rumfoord installed, a specific church in Massachusetts believes that a stranger from the Army of Mars would arrive at the Church one day and they were to praise and accept the "Space Wanderer"(2). When Unk arrived, the only thing he could say when people asked what happened to him was, "I was a victim of a series of accidents"(3). This line is extremely important! By saying this, Unk is accepted into society because society believes they are all victims of accidents that God does not control. Throughout his life, Vonnegut was a victim of accidents also. By the end of his life, Vonnegut realized that the misgivings that happened to him were all based on chance. There was no way Vonnegut could control what happened to him and no way Unk could either. Unk's story does not stop there. Unk is then taken to see Rumfoord who is seen as the leader of the world at this point. Rumfoord reveals that Unk is actually Malachi Constant (who is the most despised person on earth because he took advantage of his luck and did not use it to help anyone else). Unk is then hated by the world. Within one day, Unk, who has had no chance to explain himself or figure anything out, goes from being the most praised person to the most hated person on earth. Soon though, Unk gets his wish; he is reunited with Beatrice Rumfoord, his wife on Mars, and Chrono, his son on Mars. When the family is reunited, they despise each other. Chrono and Beatrice had a good relationship without Unk and Unk did not want this to be his family. So all that was left for Unk was to pray (not really because none of them believed in God) for his best friend Stony Stevenson to pop out from behind the bushes and surprise him. Rumfoord then reveals to Unk that he killed his best friend Stony back on Mars. All hope is lost and the family is sent to Titan to live together. Eventually the family becomes happy together but soon after, Beatrice dies. Later, Unk says,
       "It took us that long to realize that the purpose of human life,              no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved" (4).
By the time Unk realizes that love is what is important, its too late.

Seems messy right? Extremely twisted, complicated, and messy. Yet after all that the main character has been through, you still wonder if love is the true purpose of human life? Is loving someone else really the purpose? Or is Vonnegut messing with us? Well in case your brain wasn't rattled enough, Vonnegut throws another curveball at us; the entire book, the human population has been controlled by another planet. Everything has been fixed. Every event has been planned. Everyone's fate has been set up by robots on another planet so that one piece of metal can be delivered to another robot stranded on Titan.

To sum things up, there is no clear answer. Yes, in the end Unk discovered that the purpose of life is love whoever is around. But in a postmodern world, that whoever, may change to "whatever", and if society was being controlled by robots then maybe Vonnegut is telling us there is no real purpose of life at all. Aren't we all constantly following some source of authority? As children we listen to our parents. As adults we listen to our bosses. As humans in general, we tend to follow religion. It is all this idea of conformity which was so common after WWII. Is anyone really independent anymore? Do we ever think for ourselves or do we make every move based on how someone else will react, based on what will be gained or lost, based on what outcome lies in front of us? Are we all in a sense being controlled by robots? So within this book, filled with seemingly meaningless events and occurrences, you got to the end to find out the purpose of human existence is either up to interpretation or non-existant.

Existentialism.
This theme not only represents the difficulties Vonnegut experienced throughout his life, but also the difficulties many humans experience. In the post war world many were seeking their purpose on earth. In a sense, America was lost.  Unk's ability to overcome hardships in order to find what he wants is a crucial message Vonnegut gives. Similar to Vonnegut's answer, I believe that it is the love of something (not particulary someone) that drives humans existence. However, that love changes for each person. One thing that cannot be denied by Vonnegut is that humans are complicated.

(1) The Sirens of Titan, 140
(2) The Sirens of Titan, 220
(3) The Sirens of Titan, 232
(4) The Sirens of Titan, 320

So What?! -- What is Vonnegut Saying about American Society and the World All together?

The Sirens of Titan reveals strong messages about society in America and society on Earth as a whole. Now before I begin, I cannot promise that you will agree with anything Vonnegut has to say about society but keep in mind this was during the post World War II time period. To get a better understand of why Vonnegut may have portrayed humans in such a bad light it is better to look at the culture and atmosphere of the post WWII time period.

Immediately after WWII the government was focusing on supporting the American economy. During the war, more jobs were created which created more income for the middle class. Additionally, the returning GI's sought education and jobs. The increase in jobs boosted the average income for an American family and contributed to the rise of consumers (1). Now, because everyone sought to consume the same goods such as cars, clothes, etc., this led to a sense of conformity. Everyone wanted the same cars, the same houses, the same education, and the same way of life so to speak. Within this cult of conformity the idea of individuality was lost. During this time period also emerged the postmodern world view. This view denounced American consumerism and use of weapons. Postmodernist tended to denounce religion because it caused divides between people. Most importantly, postmodernist believe that promises of freedom and prosperity are simply empty promises (2).

Before the war in the novel, the scene is set in America and reveals a lot about American society. To begin with, the consolation of alcohol is an idea presented in the beginning of the novel. Two people, who appear miserable, are at a bar drinking and discussing their misfortunes (3). The use of alcohol to solve problems has always been connected to American society. This truly shows our weakness as human beings to cope with the struggles of life. Later in the story, a character describes the place where Americans can reach the apex of happiness; this place is a Hollywood night club (4). For decades the fame and fortune associated with Hollywood has appeared to be glamorous. However, the character who spent the most time in those Hollywood night clubs is miserable. Perhaps Vonnegut places this idea in the novel to have the reader question the happiness provided by Hollywood. Throughout the novel drinking, fame, and wealth are American characteristics that at first seem to be praised but are then later revealed as awful misgivings.

When the war between Mars and Earth begins, a lot more is revealed about society. Earth is the clear winner in the war. However, the triumph of Earth does not come as a shock. I believe Earth's victory shows how much Earth is experienced in war; even at time when war is unexpected, they still combat and win. This idea is later reinforced by the fall of Switzerland. The only country in the world to be successfully captured by Mars was Switzerland. This is most likely implying that because Switzerland has always remained a neutral country, they are not as experienced in war as the rest of the world (5). Although Earth's victory may come off as a good thing and some might think Vonnegut is telling us that because we fight in wars so much we are able to combat unexpected attacks and triumph, Vonnegut is actually trying to tell us the opposite. Later in the novel America is shamed for killing all the martians. Winstons Niles Rumfoord, who led the attack on Earth, purposely sent troops who were armed first and knew that Earth would kill them immediately. However, after he ran out of those troops, Rumfoord commanded the unarmed women and children to land on Earth and fight. Every country brutally killed the women and children without even knowing who they were fighting against and why (6).  This reveals the ruthlessness of society and the instinct society has to fight and kill. I would not say this is exactly a compliment.

In the end the humans race has been converted to a new religion and listens to and believes every thing Winston Niles Rumfoord tells them. When Rumfoord tells them to hate a certain person, they do. When Rumfoord tells them to all line up in one direction, they do. In this novel, the human race is constantly following orders from someone. If you are an outcast like the main character, Malachi Constant/Unk, Beatrice Rumfoord, and Chrono were, then you are sent away. This expresses the idea that those who do not conform are punished; however, Unk and his family are the only ones who come close to finding happiness. Before Beatrice Rumfoord is sent away for upsetting Rumfoord, she says, "the human race is a scummy thing" (7). Beatrice is disgusted with societies inability to think for themselves. Vonnegut proves that society is quick to give into conformity and lose their sense of independence. And later when Malachi Constant, Beatrice, and Chrono end up happy on Titan, it proves that conformity does not always lead to happiness.

A lot of postmodern themes appear in the novel. Weapons and violence used by society is seen as gratuitous and ruthless. Society is united under one religion instead of many which then prevents a divide in social classes. Lastly, Vonnegut proves a major point when society is united under Rumfoord. Vonnegut proves that all of Earth believed that promises of freedom and prosperity were false and therefore they united under the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent because they believed they controlled their own destiny and this way no one would become luckier than anyone else. Societies rapid adaptation to this philosophy proves the unhappiness of the world in post war state.

(1) Richard E. Schumann.
(2) "Postmodernism"
(3) The Sirens of Titan, 84
(4) The Sirens of Titan, 120
(5) The Sirens of Titan, 171
(6) The Sirens of Titan, 178
(7) The Sirens of Titan, 268

A Postmodern Novel That Criticizes Religion- Typical

Because the novel was written in 1959 and is post World War II, it is evident that novel is considered a postmodern novel. The Sirens of Titan is an obvious satire when discussing religion. Vonnegut criticizes and pokes fun at religion and God in the novel. First I will explain how he does this, and then I will touch on why he might do this.

How:
1) The first example that criticizes religion is the explanation of the Constant fortune. Malachi Constant's father Noel Constant had a system for obtaining his fortune. One day, Noel sat in a hotel room and pulled a bible out from the drawer. Noel divided the sentences into pairs of letters (I.N., T.H., E.B., E.G., I.N., N.I.,  N.G....) and then he would invest in companies that had these initials. Noel soon got lucky and made billions of dollars off of the companies he invested in. This is how the Constant fortune began and how Malachi became the wealthiest man in America in the 22nd century. The use of the bible as a source of luck to achieve economic fortune is a sacrilegious act. The bible main purpose is to give praise to God. Noel is not religious, never prays, and does not mention God once (1). For centuries the bible has been praised, studied, examined, and more. It is an object that demands great respect from its followers and is to be treated with integrity. The idea that an object that is the center of a religion can be seen as a good luck charm used to make a fortune is sacrilegious.
2) The second example is when Winston Niles Rumfoord manipulates the world and installs the religion known as The Church of God the Utterly Indifferent. The main beliefs of this religion are that man can do nothing to please God and God does not control the luck of the people. Rumfoord then creates his own bible that displaces the original Bible (2). The religion is adopted world wide because the humans have nothing left to believe in. They believe that after the great war between Mars, God has led them astray. They are also tired of seeing the divide between the rich in the poor. As a result, they all work together uniformly to make sure everyone is equal and no one is better than anyone else. They also are forbidden to thank God for anything because they no longer believe that God plays a part in commanding their luck. Society no longer recognizes that God cares about them and they believe he is entirely apathetic towards humans. This universal accepted religion discredits the religious belief that God is all mighty, powerful, and commands recognition.

Why: In the postmodern/post-WWII society Christian beliefs were challenged. After the discovery of the concentration camps went public and the dropping of the atomic bombs were witnessed, many began to question how God could let millions of innocent people die. Additionally, the beginning of the age of consumerism began. Many of changes made to society in the aftermath of the war were against Christian beliefs. Together, the realization of mass murder and the changes in society contributed to the spread of atheism. Poets like Philip Larkin, Ted Hughes, and Stevie Smith wrote about atheism and the irrelevance of religion in modern life (3). Because Vonnegut was once trapped as a prisoner of war in a concentration camp he witnessed the death of thousands first hand. Throughout his life Vonnegut also dealt with the death of close friends and family. After witnessing the death of innocent people it is practical that one might question their faith in God.

The Sirens of Titan gives the impression that when humans are lost and have nothing left to believe in anymore, they turn to the best option offered at the time. This is how Winston Niles Rumfoord gained control of the Earth. It also reveals man's need to believe in something/someone and follow a source of authority. If man does not have a guideline or religion to follow, they begin to feel helpless and purposeless. In the postmodern era, humans not only questioned their religion, but their purpose too.

Refer to Bibliography:
(1) The Sirens of Titan, 76
(2) The Sirens of Titan, 183-184
(3) Lauren Capaccio.

Is "The Sirens of Titan" Truly a Science Fiction Novel?

Kurt Vonnegut is known as one of the most renowned science fiction writers of all time.
Many have agreed that science fiction should show how man gains knowledge through the use of technology and science and more importantly, how man can use that knowledge to his advantage. However, science fiction concepts have to be plausible and reasonable (1). The term Science Fiction was coined around 1951; this was close to the time Vonnegut was writing The Sirens of Titan in the 1950's. This new genre, introduced to America in the middle of the 20th century, was obsessed with space and the future. It would be understandable that Vonnegut was fascinated with space and the future because he was living in a time when the space race was happening.

At a first glance The Sirens of Titan appears to belong to the science fiction genre entirely. At the beginning of the novel, there is a scene where the president announces the New Age of Space and claims that Space is a frontier that hold opportunities for America. The president plans to develop programs to build spaceships in order to relieve unemployment and help the economy (2). The futuristic setting of the novel in the 22nd century is also a characteristic of the science fiction genre. However, something is considered science fiction if it is plausible and agreeable with the scientific laws of nature; once an idea crosses this line, it is no longer considered science fiction, it is considered fantasy because it is unimaginable. As the novel continues we discover that a large group of humans, who are controlled by antennas, are being trained by one man (who travels through space and time) in order to fight a war against Earth. In 1959, the year the book was published, it was entirely plausible for a dictator to take over a large group of people. Also while the novel was being written, the space age was beginning with Russia's launch of Sputnik. At this time, it seems reasonable that Vonnegut may have imagined that in the 22nd century, humans would be on Mars and even other planets. All of these details fall under the science fiction genre. However, the role of Winston Niles Rumfoord caught in the "chrono-synclastic infundibula" traveling from planet to planet, materializing on earth, and being able to see the future and read minds seems a bit of a stretch. There was no scientific research during the 1950's that implied humans would be able to do this some day. Also, in the end, it turns out the Winston Niles Rumfoord and the rest of the world has been controlled and manipulated by robots the entire time. I really do not see how this is plausible. Therefore, I am going to go ahead and call his fantasy.

Some critics claim that Vonnegut's details that involve science fiction are not only improbable but gratuitous. They believe that there is no role for them in the novel and give the reader a false impression of the science fiction genre. (3)

Others believes that the novel is not science fiction related at all. They claim that the planets and extra terestial life form are used simply to poke fun at humans. In Steven H. Silver's review of the novel, he believes that the different planets could have easily been different countries. Silver also believes that the novel does not focus on space and technology, but on human determinism. (4)

After careful consideration I believe that the novel is not science fiction and is more of a fantasy novel for a number reasons. Firstly, the first one hundred pages of the novel take place on earth and there is no real mention of other planets or any other life form on those planets. The first half of the novel deals with human life and the complicated personalities of Vonnegut's characters. This reveals that it is possible and very likely that Vonnegut did not begin the novel intending to make it a science fiction novel. In fact, Vonnegut never thought of himself as a science fiction writer until he was told he was by critics (5). Secondly, even the Tralfamadores, who are robots in Vonnegut's novel, show human characteristics and emotions. Salo, a main Tralfamadore (robot) in the novel, ends up tearing himself apart by ripping all his robot parts out because he feels depressed and useless (6). Lastly, the novel focuses entirely on the human race. Although some components of it are influenced by technology and science, it could easily have been devoid of science and still given the same message about human life. The futuristic scene and alien life form simply make the novel more interesting.

Refer to bibliography:
(1) Herbert G. Klein.
(2) The Sirens of Titan, 56
(3) Herbert G. Klein.
(4) Steven Silver.
(5) Herbert G. Klein.
(6) The Sirens of Titan, 307

Summary

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the The Sirens of Titan, this summary is intended to familiarize you with the novel.

The novel begins on earth with the life of Malachi Constant, the wealthiest and rashest person on earth. The entire Constant fortune is based on luck in the stock market. Constant leads a luxurious life where he throws parties, uses women, drinks, does drugs, and is completely apathetic to the progress of the companies he has invested in. Malachi Constant serves as the main character for the entire book.

In the midst of Malachi Constant's life and his current status, the novel also explains the anecdotes of the Rumfoords. Winston Niles Rumfoord and Beatrice Rumfoord were once married. However, years ago, Winston Niles Rumfoord encountered the "chrono-synclastic infundiblum" while traveling his private spaceship out of earth's atmosphere. The "chrono-synclastic infundiblum" allows Mr. Rumfoord to travel through time and space. He can also see the past and future and read minds. Occasionally Mr. Rumfoord will show up on earth with his dog Kazak in the Rumfoord estate through a process known as "materialization." Materializations can be compared to a hanging of the past; a crowd will gather, bring their families, and watch as a source of entertainment. However, no one has ever been allowed to see a materialization because Beatrice Rumfoord does not allow anyone in. This is the case until Mr. Rumfoord demands that she invite Malachi Constant to the next materialization.

In the next materialization, Mr. Rumfoord tells Beatrice and Malachi their future. Beatrice and Malachi are both unhappy about Mr. Rumfoord's prophesies and do everything to avoid their fate even though it is unavoidable. Soon both Beatrice Rumfoord and Malachi Constant are kidnapped and taken to Mars

Mars is in the process of training an army. A majority of the population is controlled by antennas under their skulls. The rest who are not controlled by antennas are the generals in the army who can be trusted. At first there is no clue as to who is controlling everyone on Mars. Everyone on Mars is being trained and prepared for the attack of Earth. However, this attack is meant to be and ends up being a failure. Constant now becomes a man named Unk and a soldier in the army. Winston Niles Rumfoord, the man controlling Mars, set up this attack in order to instill a universal religion known as the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent.

Throughout the story, Unk is desperately trying to find a sense of happiness and a sense of purpose on earth.

Kurt

Vonnegut was born in 1922. After studying at Cornell University from 1940-1942. During college Vonnegut enlisted in the U.S. Army and later he was sent to Europe and served in the famous Battle of the Bulge in which the Allies finally broke through Hitler's troops and invaded Germany. After the battle Kurt was captured and held as a prisoner of war in a German concentration camp. During this time, Vonnegut witnessed the physical demise of Germany. While Kurt witnessed the murder of 130,000 people in the concentration camp, he survived by hiding in the basement. I imagine that during Kurt's time in war he saw the mass destruction of human life which, as a result, placed a value human life for Kurt . Kurt's war experience and ideas were expressed in his novel SlaughterHouse Five which describes the journey of a disoriented and ill-trained soldier who dislikes war. In addition to the meaning of life Kurt found in the mist of the war, Kurt's again witnessed how easily life could be taken away when his mother committed suicide. (3)  Lev Grossman of Time Magazine believes that Vonnegut was constantly dissapointed with humanity and himself. (4) I agree with Grossman because Vonnegut's experience in war and experience with depression and death would lead him to devalue human life and therefor search desperately to find a meaning behind life and the purpose of man (exactly what he attempts to tell the world in The Sirens of Titan).

" I really wonder what gives us the right to wreck this poor planet of ours."- Kurt Vonnegut

 Upon returning from the war, he married his high school girlfriend, had kids, and held multiple jobs before landing on writing. All of Kurt's writing includes some kind of war element because of his first hand experiences in WWII. Throughout his life, Kurt struggled with depression and even tried to take his own life in 1984. (1) Kurt's attempted suicide might be the result of a feeling of emptiness and purposeless. This feeling is reflected in many of his main characters. Kurt's writing is known to combine sarcastic commentary on society with surrealism and science fiction. In many of his works, the main character experiences some type of dehumanization from different forces of society such as technology and capitalism. His common themes are : pacifism, social equality, and common decency. (2)

Refer to Bibliography:

"Kurt Vonnegut Biography" (1)

"Kurt Vonnegut" (2)

What Am I Doing?

Warning. This is not your traditional blog. This is an English project. If you are not my english teacher or interested in Kurt Vonnegut and The Sirens of Titan then you can leave this blog.

I had the opportunity to choose a great American writer and discover what he or she has given to the American literary cannon. I could have chosen any writer but I ended up choosing Kurt Vonnegut because of his particular genre and because of the feedback I have heard about his books. I know Vonnegut is known for his focus on science fiction and war in his novels. I am not that big of a fan of war so I choose a novel that focuses on a futuristic scene. The novel I chose was The Sirens of Titan. Based on the summary I read about it and a small amount of information from Wikipedia, I understood that the novel takes place in the future and focuses on the purpose of human life. I plan to read the novel for enjoyment but at the same time examine the postmodern aspects of the novel itself. The main themes I am going to be looking at are the role of space, religion, and humans in the novel. This book is filled with random events that take places on multiple planets. I cannot wait to figure out what this book is about.

 I will begin by learning a little bit about Vonnegut himself and his background. I believe that a major part of the writer's work is the history of the writer him or herself. After examining Kurt's biography, I will explain a summary of the novel so that you as a reader can be familiar with the novel itself. Subsequently, I will explore the main themes and look at how those themes are postmodern. Throughout all of this, I will be reading reviews on the novel and taking into account the different points of view others have had. Most of all, I'm going to have fun.