other, who was several years older than him, had been having a successful career as a chemist when his parents decided that Kurt would become a chemist, too. Therefore, he went to Cornell University and studied chemistry for three years (Wakeman, 1494). Even though he did not become a chemist, he used the knowledge from his years of study in Cat's Cradle. In that story, one of the key elements is the substance ice-nine. Vonnegut uses his scientific knowledge to describe the entire concept and all the properties of this fictitious substance, which makes it seems all the more real. Vonnegut's sister, who died at age 40, has had a different influence on his writing. She is the perfect reader whom he writes for. "'That's the secret of artistic unity,' he said [in an interview], 'Anyone can achieve it by making something with only one person in mind.'" (Nuwer, 39). In this way, his sister may be the final influence on his work. Kurt Vonnegut's writings owe a lot to influences from his life. By sticking with what he knows for settings, details, and characters, he is able to create realistic, easily comprehended stories. He bases the theme and plot on what he has learned from life, and makes each story his perception of life. All of this comes together to make an enjoyable collection of "pungent satirical depictions of modern society" (Draper, 3784). ...
