Mother Night

Vonnegut asks the reader to identify with a Nazi war criminal. What methods does he use to help the reader come to terms with Campbell’s crimes?

Explore Campbell’s notion of “cuckoo clock from Hell” using examples from the novel and from contemporary America.

Which character has the most profound effect on Campbell’s life? Is this the same character who most directly affects his worldview?

After his confrontation with O’Hare, Campbell offers a vision of the core of evil. How does the meaning of this assertion change as it is directed not at a Nazi but at an American serviceman?

Resi Noth appears to be the most idealistic character in the novel. Examine this aspect of her character and discuss how it contrasts against Campbell’s character.

If Campbell’s memoir hints at how fabricated most histories are, does the text offer any methods of getting closer to the truth of history?

Compare and contrast Resi Noth and George Kraft. They share the same motivation, but at the end Resi dies by suicide while Kraft submits to his arrest. Why?

Explore Campbell’s use of the term “schizophrenia.” In what ways does this metaphor contribute to the reader’s understanding of Campbell and others involved in espionage?