Logan Pearsall Smith once said, "It is not what an author says, but what he or she
whispers, that is important.” In other words, readers should not focus on the events of the
plot, the surface-level information, while reading, but instead, we should dig deeper and
attempt to find theme—the deeper message—to truly understand and appreciate a story. I
agree with this statement. OR This statement is shown to be true in “The Euphio Question”
by Kurt Vonnegut.
The short story “The Euphio Question” by Kurt Vonnegut shows us the importance of
finding theme in order to truly understand a work of fiction through the use of satire. At first
glance, “The Euphio Question” is simply an inventive work of science fiction in which the
protagonist, the unnamed narrator, staunchly opposes an invention called the euphio that
Commented [AA1]: Note that this paragraph employs the
CIAT strategy. It copies down the quotation, interprets it,
agrees (there are two options given here for how this can be
done if you find it awkward to simply say, “I agree”), and the
piece of work that will be discussed in the half critical lens is
listed in the thesis portion of the paper.
Commented [AA2]: Notice that this topic sentence does
three things. It tells the reader what short story you’ll be
talking about, it repeats the paraphrase, and it says what
literary device/element will be used/focused on in this
paragraph.
Lew, the antagonist, wishes to push onto both willing and unwilling consumers. However,
the story was not written with the intention simply to amuse; instead, Vonnegut is trying to
prove a point about the importance of obtaining happiness through legitimate, non-artificial
means by satirizing people in our society who turn to drugs and other substances to feel
happy. The theme becomes apparent in the scene where the narrator, Lew, and their family
and friends sit idly by as the euphio stays on for two full days. During this time, everyone
falls into a deep, bliss-filled stupor throughout which the participants neglect their everyday
needs and fall ill due to a hurricane that has ravaged the household. Days later, the
characters emerge looking like victims of “Buchenwald,” a concentration camp, as a minor
character aptly describes them. Thus, through Vonnegut’s use of satire, it becomes clear how
illicit means of happiness, such as drugs and the euphio, do not create genuine, long-lasting
happiness. Instead, he seems to encourage the readers to find other, better methods for
obtaining elation that do not have negative consequences, such as through family
Commented [AA3]: While random plot summary is not
encouraged in a critical lens, this plot summary is told with a
purpose. It addresses the first part of the critical lens, the
portion that is primarily concerned with the fact that a story
is much more than the plot summary. These sentences set
out to agree with that bit of the lens by acknowledging that,
yes, there is always a surface-level meaning to a story, but
that’s not what we as readers should focus on.
Commented [AA4]: Here, we shift to addressing the
second part of the critical lens, the part where we prove
that there are much deeper meanings to literature, also
known as theme. Also, we shift the attention to the literary
device being discussed. The essay suggests that part of the
satire in “The Euphio Question” is that the tale is not just a
story about a magical euphio machine that makes people
happy. Instead, Vonnegut is poking fun at people who turn
to drugs to feel “happy.” That is the satirical element here.
togetherness. Hence, “The Euphio Question” is a prime example of how we must sift
through the surface-level details of a text in order to find the deeper underlying message.
As readers, it is important that we realize that there is often a deeper level of meaning to
the literature that we read. Thus, it is vital that we tease out these meanings, or themes, as we
read rather than focusing on the plot. Kurt Vonnegut’s use of satire in “The Euphio
Question” is a perfect example of how writers often try to reveal deeper meaning to us in
literature.
Commented [AA5]: This is pointed plot summary that is
told with the purpose of demonstrating how Vonnegut
makes a negative commentary on the use of the euphio
(again, this is satire which is poking fun at the use of drugs.
The fact that this scene is so absurd and ridiculous adds to
this satire). By pointing out the chaos that ensues from the
use of the euphio—drugs by proxy—Vonnegut
demonstrates the chaos and negative consequences of
euphio/drug use. The euphoria lasts only for a short time,
and it wreaks havoc on the bodies of the people involved.
Thus, we can draw the conclusion that we should not turn
to drugs for happiness, and the euphio is a stand in for this
concept. This proves the critical lens’ point that there is a
deeper meaning, for we come to a greater understanding of
why we should not turn to illicit substances for happiness.
Commented [AA6]: Again, in the concluding sentence,
we return to the paraphrase of the quotation.
Commented [AA7]: A conclusion’s purpose in the critical
lens is to return, again, to your paraphrase of the quotation.
In addition, it reminds the reader of the works discussed as
well as the literary elements used in your essay. You can
make a connection to the broader, wider world in your final
sentence if you have something significant to say, though it
isn’t necessary.