Literary Precedents for Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast of Champions Literary Precedents

Perhaps the most important literary precedent is The Tempest, Shakespeare's symbolic exploration of the role of the artist. Like Shakespeare, Vonnegut explores the ambiguous connection between the real and the invented, questions the authority of the artist, and considers the paradox of freedom.

Like Prospero, he frees his literary thralls at the novel's end although he cannot grant them the happiness and immortality they want.