Breakfast of Champions: Plague of Unhappiness :: Breakfast of Champions Essays

Breakfast of Champions Plague of Unhappiness The motto of Dwayne Hoovers and Kilgore Trouts realm E pluribus unum, Out of Many one and only(a) (9). Out of existencey subjects the storyteller chooses one, Kilgore Trout, to achieve success. He and Dwayne Hoover are main characters in Kurt Vonneguts fable Breakfast of Champions (1973). This book is a microcosm of modern American society. Ein truth character symbolizes a different p prowess of the society. The main characters, Dwayne and Kilgore, are symbols Dwayne representing the successful family musical composition and business person, and Kilgore representing the lonely and unsuccessful people of the world. This novel reveals the misconception people endure concerning the relationships between being wealthy and successful and being happy. We never discussed what shape of funeral you wanted, (18) said Kilgore Trout to his pet parakeet, and only friend. Kilgore was born in Bermuda. When he was young, he worked with his fath er trying to save the endangered Bermuda Erns. When an Ern would die, Kilgore had the gruesome business of measuring the dead birds wingspan. He seemed doomed from childhood. The pessimism that overwhelmed him in later invigoration very likely had its roots in the bittersweet mulch of decomposition Erns (31). This pessimism destroys every human relationship Kilgore Trout has. For this reason, Kilgore is a lonely middle-aged man expecting nothing more from his life than to die alone. The only way he outwardly expresses himself is through writing science fiction novels and short stories. One man has taken interest in Kilgores writing. His name is Mr. Rosewater, a very rich man who earned his riches by running scorch mines in the mountains of West Virginia. In his eyes Kilgore Trout is a genius. Rosewater funds an all-encompassing search to find Kilgores address. Once he has the address, he sends Kilgore a winnow letter. Kilgore perceives this letter as an invasion of his privac y. Rosewater insists he is not intruding and promises to attract Kilgore famous. Trout says, Keep the hell out of my body bag (33). Rosewater uses his influences to get Kilgore invited to an subterfuge show in Midland City. At this art festival, Kilgore will be one of the main speakers. Kilgore, with no intentions of going at first, says, Im not going. I dont want out of my cage (36). The same pessimism that is causing him to live a lonely, unfulfilled life is also the reason he decides to go the art festival.