How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I might have been vaguely inclined to dismiss the stone angel as meaningless, and to go from there to the meaninglessness of all. But after I saw what Krebbs had done, in particular what he had done to my sweet cat, nihilism was not for me. (36.9)
John finds meaning in the art of the stone angel because the alternative, nihilism, is represented by a trashed apartment and a dead cat. Yeah, we'd side with art too.
Quote #5
"Well, if you ever do do the book, you better make Father a saint, because that's what he was." (51.21)
Art's lies can influence how people view reality, and here's a perfect example. Angela's proposal suggests that John can "make" Hoenikker into whatever he wants. "Saint" sounds nice, but wouldn't "suave, debonair secret agent" be better?
Quote #6
"Father needs some kind of book to read to people who are dying or in terrible pain. I don't suppose you've written anything like that." (70.10)
In Cat's Cradle, art is medicine for the terminal condition called life. Sure, it may just be a placebo, but if that's case, then you can take as much as you want without any side effects.