In the short story “EPICAC” author Kurt Vonnegut uses satire, personification, and the character of the narrator to imply the idea that the size for individuality is invaluable, although too little can be disastrous. EPICAC is a supercomputer capable of solving the most advance problems for mankind, but the computer is not exceeding the expectations the government had in mind. EPICAC does not find it’s true purpose until the narrator introduces the supercomputer to poetry, which ultimately influence’s its downfall. Throughout “EPICAC”, Vonnegut leaves the reader with an unnamed narrator who helps demonstrate the idea of individuality throughout the story. The narrator had become increasingly reliant on the supercomputer until the machine short circuited and died. Amongst EPICAC’s life, the narrator can be viewed as cold hearted. The narrator’s wife, Pat, even refuses the narrators marriage proposal stating: “I could get more warmth out of a sack of …show more content…
The narrator is able to make Pat fall in love with him through the use of EPICAC’s poems. Therefore, if EPICAC had more human like characteristics, he would not have been restricted and could have married Pat himself. The events that led up to EPICAC’s suicide can be viewed to help emphasis the overall theme of the story. If EPICAC had more freedom towards individuality, he would not have fixed his destiny. Vonnegut highlighted the fact that individuality is essential by distinguishing the narrator, satirizing the short story, and personifying EPICAC. As the story ended, the narrator stated: “I loved and won---EPICAC loved and lost, but he bore me no grudge. I shall always remember him as a sportsman and a gentleman.” (304) The downfall of EPICAC is he was never able to have the same individuality as a human, yet, he tried with the capacity that he