Reflections of the Self:
Kurt Vonnegut and Autofiction
BA Thesis English Language and Culture, Utrecht University
Merel Hol
6150292
Supervisor: Anna Poletti / David Pascoe
Second Reader: Anna Poletti
July 2020
, Hol 1
Abstract
Readers of Kurt Vonnegut might attest to the feeling that somehow, Vonnegut himself runs
through the pages of his fiction. They could refer to the autobiographical elements of his novels,
especially WWII in Slaughterhouse Five (1969), but even more than that, readers seem to talk
to Vonnegut himself as they read his words. This thesis connects Vonnegut’s extraordinary
work to the elusive concept of autofiction: fiction that expresses the inner life of the author
purely through their writings. Author-characters are explored through Kilgore Trout in
Slaughterhouse Five (1969), the science fiction writer who communicates much truth in his
many lies, and the character of Winston Niles Rumfoord in Sirens of Titan (1959), who builds
the world to his will. Additionally, projective technique will be explored: the extent in which
the narrator in Cat’s Cradle (1963) employs the critical distance of an author.
, Hol 2
Dedications
Thank you to
Anna, for granting me exciting inspiration.
David, for having me to rise to the challenge.
Wessel, for always helping me reach new understanding.
Robur, for being comfort personified.
Sabrina, for your unfazed intellectualism.
, Hol 3
Index
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Dedications ................................................................................................................................. 2
Index ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4
Truth Through Science Fiction: Vonnegut as Trout in Slaughterhouse Five ............................ 9
Creating the Creator: Vonnegut as Rumfoord in Sirens of Titan ............................................. 16
Autofiction in Style: Vonnegut’s Irony in Cat’s Cradle .......................................................... 22
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 29
Works Cited.............................................................................................................................. 32
Kurt Vonnegut and Autofiction
BA Thesis English Language and Culture, Utrecht University
Merel Hol
6150292
Supervisor: Anna Poletti / David Pascoe
Second Reader: Anna Poletti
July 2020
, Hol 1
Abstract
Readers of Kurt Vonnegut might attest to the feeling that somehow, Vonnegut himself runs
through the pages of his fiction. They could refer to the autobiographical elements of his novels,
especially WWII in Slaughterhouse Five (1969), but even more than that, readers seem to talk
to Vonnegut himself as they read his words. This thesis connects Vonnegut’s extraordinary
work to the elusive concept of autofiction: fiction that expresses the inner life of the author
purely through their writings. Author-characters are explored through Kilgore Trout in
Slaughterhouse Five (1969), the science fiction writer who communicates much truth in his
many lies, and the character of Winston Niles Rumfoord in Sirens of Titan (1959), who builds
the world to his will. Additionally, projective technique will be explored: the extent in which
the narrator in Cat’s Cradle (1963) employs the critical distance of an author.
, Hol 2
Dedications
Thank you to
Anna, for granting me exciting inspiration.
David, for having me to rise to the challenge.
Wessel, for always helping me reach new understanding.
Robur, for being comfort personified.
Sabrina, for your unfazed intellectualism.
, Hol 3
Index
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Dedications ................................................................................................................................. 2
Index ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4
Truth Through Science Fiction: Vonnegut as Trout in Slaughterhouse Five ............................ 9
Creating the Creator: Vonnegut as Rumfoord in Sirens of Titan ............................................. 16
Autofiction in Style: Vonnegut’s Irony in Cat’s Cradle .......................................................... 22
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 29
Works Cited.............................................................................................................................. 32
