Books Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
““The books he and his supporters wanted out of the schools, one of mine among them, were not pornographic, although he would have liked our audience to think so. (There is the word "motherfucker" one time in my Slaughterhouse-Five, as in "Get out of the road, you dumb motherfucker." Ever since that word was published, way back in 1969, children have been attempting to have intercourse with their mothers. When it will stop no one knows.)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Slaughterhouse‑Five, 1969
Vonnegut satirically links a profanity in his novel to absurd social outcomes, mocking censorship and moral panic.
In simple terms: He jokes that a vulgar word caused bizarre behavior, critiquing overreactions.
Key Takeaway
Question absurd claims and protect free expression.
Themes
censorship
morality
absurdity
satire
freedom of speech
Mood
ironic
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- media analysis
- parental guidance
- public policy
- cultural commentary
Key Concepts
social critique
humor
literary satire
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does satire play in discussing censorship?
- How can societies address harmful language without overreach?
A Different Perspective
The exaggerated claim may distract from genuine concerns about content impact.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
