My very own vin-dit

Throughout reading the first third of Cat’s Cradle written by renowned author Kurt Vonnegut, my opinions regarding the religion of the speaker, Jonah, have altered greatly. My change in perspective regarding Bokononism has everything to do with the way in which Jonah writes about the applications of the religion in his life through the making of his book within Vonnegut’s book. The novel explores the life, in first person, of Jonah, and the journey that came of his endeavor to write a book called The Day the World Ended. He meant for the book to expose the life of the man who created the atomic bomb, Felix Hoenikker. But, on his journey to complete the book, he encountered the religion of Bokononism. I originally discounted this particular religion as a legitimate practice. Jonah learns that Bokononists believe firmly that when a person finds oneself involved with others “for no logical reasons,” there is, in fact, a purpose for their coming together (2). Those who practice Bokononism perceive these intertwined lives as a “karass,” and the reasons that bring them together as “kan-kans,” (2). Jonah displays this perspective through his odyssey to write his book, which transpired as a “kan-kan” for “[his] own particular karass” (2). I have come to appreciate the Bokononist view on fate, simply because of the eclectic group of people brought together for one sole purpose in Vonnegut’s book. The Breed family, the Hoenikker family, and the other characters who have helped Jonah along the researching of his book, all contribute to his karass. The juxtaposition between these characters displays the random yet helpful way in which people become intertwined for a purpose. Another Bokononist philosophy transpires as a “vin-dit,” a “sudden, very personal shove in the direction of Bokononism” (69). For me, this particular philosophy became credible following Jonah’s encounter with Marvin Breed. After meeting him, the son of Asa Breed who worked as a co-worker to Felix Hoenikker, Jonah found something very personal in his possession. Breed worked in the tombstone salesroom where Jonah found this personal item. It was a statue with a history; a man had ordered the extravagant piece yet had not had the money to pay for it. So, the statue remained in the store for many years, and there it remained until Jonah saw the engraving on it, with “the name that was [his] last name” (73). This instance represents an incredible coincidence. Jonah’s purpose of writing a novel led him to Breed, which ultimately led him to this personal item. One can interpret an instance so situationally ironic as a “personal shove towards Bokononism” (69). As I learn more about the way of life, I have become more understanding of their philosophies, and even interested. Vonnegut portrays the religion as credible as he depicts Jonah’s journey to becoming a loyal Bokononist.