"Cat's Cradle" and Postmodernism

       There is plenty of evidence that Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle is a Postmodernist text; it is a novel that does not conform to the form or beliefs of the many novels that preceded it. In the very first pages of the book itself, without even touching on the novel reveals this partly. To begin, the table of contents reveals that a book of about 290 pages has 125 chapters. If that was not strange enough the words printed almost at the very front of the entire piece is "Nothing in this book is true." These are obviously not the basic constructs of a Modernist text; definitely not following the shape or form of what were considered "ideal" frames for books. But first appearances can be deceiving. However the text proves its Postmodernist intentions. One thing that the novel attacks is religion, specifically Christianity. The main character early on describes himself as "I was a Christian then." as he begins his book of remembrance. Yet he presents himself as a a very un-Christian like soul. He describes how he had "...more than fifty-three women..." and shows absolutely no regret for that in any way. He also reveals himself to be someone so easily swayed by the words of Bokonon and believes that "Live by the foma that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy."; foma being "harmless untruths". I believe Vonnegut is using John and Bokononism as a way to express his overall belief that religion is just that; a series of lies that humans use to justify their lives and provide them comfort. He also satirizes how we look upon religion as in one example, he describes how the people of San Lorenzo have a base they called "Jesus Christ." This is definitely not a part of the Modernist theories and the way he could present such a dark and disturbing view is also different in its presentation. The satirical view of the humans and religion is what makes it a Postmodernist work; and overall a potent one at that.