Chapter Twenty-Six Summary

The Elders of Tralfamadore belittle the human efforts to go beyond the planet, however, Eugene cautions the reader. Rather than believe humans are the superior life forms, Tralfamadoreans believe humans are pathetic pieces of "meat" and self-delusional maniacs. One writer on the home planet of Tralfamadore, in fact, becomes an instant celebrity when he writes a series of satires for his fellow citizens about how humans actually believe themselves superior to all other life forms in the universe. The Elders also enjoy the fearful way in which humans will divide up and blame one another's group for all their problems rather than banding together to actually solve them. This makes it easy for the Elders to rule over the unknowing Earthlings, who idiotically allow themselves to be herded around with fear and superstition by their absentee rulers. In a perverse variation...