Kurt Vonnegut: 50 Years of Writing, 14 Books, and a Journalism Legacy - Research Paper

Introduction

Kurt Vonnegut was an American writer who stayed in the industry for about 50 years. During this period, Vonnegut published fourteen books, three short stories, plays and several non-fictional works. He was motivated by the journalism rule, where one should get facts, develop simple declarative sentences and determine the right audience for the information. Studying the author is essential, considering that he became popular in the 1960s and published famous texts like 'the cat's cradle and the slaughter-house five'. Today, Vonnegut's works are studied because they have both satirical and science-fiction elements of literature. Kurt Vonnegut has influenced literature by using elements to help the readers associate written ideas with day to day lives.

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Donald Morse is one of the writers claiming that Kurt Vonnegut has made significant impacts in literature. Morse analyses Vonnegut's text imagining being an American' stating that the narration uses fictional elements to describe Americans lives. The tool helps the author catch the readers' minds as it helps the development of an informed view, enabling them to relate the text with the day to day lives (Morse 2004). Morse adds that the book is divided into seven chapters, with a strong introduction which gives insights into the whole novel.

Moreover, the book has a reliable collection of the works cited at the end, which are well used in the narration evident by the endnotes in the various chapters. Besides, Vonnegut uses both primary and secondary sources, linking personal experiences with broader social and cultural contexts. The description makes Vonnegut useful in understanding literature aspects applied in the twentieth century when writing was becoming necessary (Morse 2004). The linkage between fiction and reality of the day to day lives thus makes Vonnegut an influential writer in history.

Kurt Vonnegut is also influential as he uses short stories to make the audience understand society. 'Harrison Bergeron' is one of the famous short stories by Vonnegut, published in 1961. The narration is based on dystopian societies meant to be developed in the future, where everyone is equal. The protagonist is a 14 years old character, known as Harrison. The government forces Harrison to conceal his physical and mental abilities, ensuring that he resembles other people (Vonnegut 1961). For example, he is forced to wear a red rubber on the nose, shave eyebrows and hide the teeth. The actions were meant to conceal his physical beauty and thus making all people equal. Other than ensuring equality, the conditions are intended to prevent Harrison from becoming better than other citizens. For example, the directive that he should have earphones is done to distract his thoughts while healthy people are given heavy clothes, so they become weak.

The story describes a nation, where all people have similar capabilities mentally, physically and socially. The United States and other countries have made tremendous actions to ensure society members are treated equally without discrimination based on race, gender and socio-economic status, among others. 'Harrison Bergeron' short story communicates that having a perfect society is impossible in real life. Vonnegut thus takes the equality concept to be ridiculous and absurd, which the government should not strain to attain. Nevertheless, the term equality has been interpreted differently, where some define it as where all citizens are treated equally while others; like in the story define it as where all people are equal. As implied in the story, making all people equal is hard as humans are created differently and at no point will they become the same.

Vonnegut proves the idea by giving examples of experts in society, whose abilities would be shut. For instance, if the administration put handicaps on citizens, the naturally gifted people's operations would have been stopped, and civilization would not happen. Also, where the mental blocks such as radios were put on people, the thinkers who have enabled the development of ideas would not exist. The application of technology in solving the day to day problems would not happen, as innovation would be blocked. The examples show that bringing equality in society leads to severe issues as the development would be curbed. Vonnegut's use of a fictional story about Harrison makes the Americans and other readers understand that the attainment of equality in communities is impossible. Instead, the government should give equal chances for development by working on issues like racism and bribery. The action would make everyone in the nation access resources to improve their lives, creating a fulfilment attitude among citizens.

'Miss temptation' is the other piece done by Kurt Vonnegut, showing his influence in making readers associate literature with real life. The story involves Susanna, a beautiful lady that performs in the local theatre. Though Susanna is social, she only interacts with Bearse Hinkley who sells her New York newspaper every day. One, while going for the paper, she meets Norman Fuller, a village member who had returned from Korea. Susanna's beauty affects Norman, who throws words claiming that gorgeous girls like Susanna make the ordinary men feel lonely. The words hurt Susanna as she does not attend theatre that day. Hinkley learns the story and pushes Norman to provide Susanna with a newspaper every day, which he accepts (Vonnegut 1993). After his encounter with Susanna, Norman realizes she was hurt and therefore apologizes. The following day, Susanna tells Norman to walk the streets with her and smile to the villagers, so they learn he is courageous.

Vonnegut's title of the play is ironic, to show how Susanna's sexuality would make people fear to interact with her. He uses other poetic words like 'her skin was the colour of cream' to make the audience imagine her beauty. Norman, on the other hand, is described oppositely, with words like 'fuller the loner'. The exaggerated expressions show how humans are affected by beauty and physical appearances. For example, Norman was threatened by Susanna's beauty, making him feel lonely and hating all the beautiful American women. The message delivered in the story is that society considers sex as a factor in determining morality. Based on the outcomes of Norman's actions with Susanna, the play shows that the idea is rooted in fear other than morality.

The story also draws a line between men and women considering Susanna and Norman. After the encounter, Norman hates all the American women and projects the bitterness to Susanna. Though at first, she is frustrated; Susanna gains courage and decides not to vacate the house. Moreover, she forces Norman to walk with her in the streets and smile to show the community he does not fear. The scene teaches the audience on the role of women in the city. Even though they are discriminated and denied equal chances as the men, they would rise and become competent. It also indicates that the attitude in the society concerning the women being inferior is false as they are equally capable of improving their lives as the men. Therefore the fiction story teaches the audience about sexuality and gender, which should not be used in determining morality as the ideas, is falsely rooted.

Jerome Klinkowitz studied Vonnegut's career and concluded that the pieces published had a significant influence in literature. Like noted above, Vonnegut's intention of writing was to make the readers connect research with day to day activities and make changes where necessary. Klinkowitz assesses books like 'the sirens of titan' and 'cat's cradle'. The articles discuss human beings, their positions and role in the society (Klinkowitz 1973). The author insists on the decisions made by Germany during the world war, which resulted in disrespect for human rights and deaths. The article gives insights to readers on decision making, where morality should be applied for humans to execute their roles in the universe. For example, people should engage in activities that benefit everyone other than individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kurt Vonnegut's involvement in literature has had significant impacts on readers and other writers. He aims to make the readers connect research with the daily lives and thus learn lessons. For example, the Harrison narration convinces the Americans that the creation of a dystopian society is impossible and should not be implemented. As noted by other writers and the pieces analyzed above, Vonnegut uses elements to communicate the messages. The usage not only makes the audience motivated but also understands the ideas and applies them in real life. Other writers also benefit in learning the role of literature in educating the community for better living.

References

Klinkowitz, J. (1973). The Literary Career of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Modern Fiction Studies, 19(1), 57-67. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26279135

Morse, D. E. (2004). The Novels of Kurt Vonnegut: Imagining Being an American. https://www.amazon.com/Novels-Kurt-Vonnegut-Imagining-Contributions/dp/0313319146

Vonnegut, K. (1961). Harrison Bergerson. na. https://archive.org/stream/HarrisonBergeron/Harrison%20Bergeron_djvu.txt

Vonnegut, K. (1993). Miss Temptation. Dramatic Publishing. https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Temptation-David-Cooperman/dp/087129334X