In RSTD 310: Myth, Symbol and Ritual, Dr. Thompson
had us read The Sirens of Titan by
Kurt Vonnegut. Classified as a science fiction novel, Vonnegut takes the reader
on a journey to Mars, Mercury, back to Earth and finally a moon of Saturn. I
was unsure of what to expect when I began reading the first few pages of the
book, as satirical science fiction is not particularly my favorite literary
genre. However, I found myself flipping the pages faster than I had imagined. Kurt
Vonnegut, a man I have never met, was able to help me explore a deeper part of
what it means to be human. The book challenges popular religious rituals and
stereotypes but gets at the fundamental nature of the desire for understanding
and meaning in our lives. Regardless of the religious criticisms, the novel
still manages to get the reader to contemplate areas of their lives which they
may not have critically examined before. Thinking critically, even in a satiric
vain, allows a reader to entertain an idea without necessarily accepting it.
That is, after all, what dialogue with others should be about---comparing ideas
in search of meaning. The novel allowed me to examine the areas in my life when
rituals and symbols have important significance. Like Lewis, Vonnegut creates a
world where the role of myth and stories reaches to the core of humanity and
challenges it to grow and go deeper
No comments:
Post a Comment