Course | Reading Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions with Christina Jarvis | Virtual
As we reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, this course will look back to Vonnegut’s early 1970s attempts to restore “humane harmony” in his brain as he confronted foundational American myths, a damaged planet, and a culture that seemed like a “sidewalk strewn with junk.” Focusing on Breakfast of Champions (1973) and selected short works, this three-session course will explore the how Vonnegut used his newfound celebrity in the wake of Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) to respond to the Vietnam War, the space race and other Cold War technologies, and the broader social, political, environmental, and economic breakdowns he witnessed.
Course | Reading Kurt Vonnegut with Christina Jarvis | Virtual
Best known for his wildly imaginative fiction, accessible style, and unflinching critiques of American culture, Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most beloved and prescient writers of the late-20th century. Focusing on Cat’s Cradle (1963) and his anti-war masterpiece, Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), this four-session course will explore Kurt Vonnegut’s signature literary techniques (dark humor, satire, and innovative, often time-bending narrative structures) along with his examinations of 1960s America.