Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Cat’s Cradle, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Science and Morality
Religion
Governance, Politics, and Nationhood
Absurdity and Meaninglessness
Summary
Analysis
Newt signs off by suggesting John should not refer to his family as “illustrious” (as John had done in his initial letter.” Newt explains that he is a midget and the last he heard of Frank is that he is wanted by the FBI for “running stolen cars to Cuba.” “Glamorous,” says Newt, is probably a better word.
Glamorous is, of course, as absurd a word as “illustrious.” Newt’s information about Frank sets up the later appearance of his sibling on San Lorenzo. The nod to Cuba reminds the reader of the Cold War context.
Themes
