“Long Walk To Forever” by
Kurt Vonnegut
Theme
The importance of pursuing true
love regardless of perils and
obstacles
Plot Summary
 Newt and Catharine grew up next door to each other.
 There had always been playful, comfortable relationship between them,
but never any talk of love, at least from Catharine.
 Now, Newt is in the army and Catharine is still home, about to marry Henry
Chasens.
 Newt gets word of the potential marriage, realizes that he loves Catharine,
and goes AWOL from the army to see her.
 When Newt arrives back home, he convinces Catharine to take a walk in
the nearby woods, like they used to do when children.
 Deep in the woods Newt discusses his true feelings for Catharine, but is
shunned by her. However, through Newt’s efforts, there is a love shown
between the two at the end of the story.
Important Quotes
 Bells rang in the tower of the school for the blind
nearby. “School for the blind," said Newt. "School
for the blind," said Catharine. She shook her head
in drowsy wonder.
 Vonnegut uses the school of the blind to symbolize
that true love can only be felt through the heart and
mind, not through just sight.
Important Quotes
(Continued)
 “If he called to her, she would run to him. She
would have no choice” (pg 58).
 Catherine knew she would follow her heart and
choose loving him despite how illogical it seemed.
 “...she realized that what she said was true, that a
woman couldn’t hide love.” (pg 55).
 Her words could no longer betray her emotion. She is
hopelessly in love with Newt and is finally able to
accept it.
Characterization
 Newt- love struck young man that wishes to rekindle a
relationship with his childhood friend. He displays a hint of
jealousy, since he decides to only make a move after she is
already planning a marriage to another person.
 Catharine- somewhat of a flirt, who doesn’t know exactly what
she wants. She is surprised by the sudden declaration of love
from Newt, and is torn between the man she is to be wed with,
and Newt. She is seen as very flirtatious and naive, as she was
blind to the love that Newt had for her.
Symbolism
• War:
• Newt left an actual war to figuratively fight the “battle
of war” for Catherine. Parallels the wars fought.
• Walking:
• Establishing a new life, whisking Catherine away
from her own life and creating a new path with Newt
Characterization
Newt
• He is very reflective of the author, choosing to pursue
his true love.
• He tries to guilt Catherine by saying he is AWOL, and
almost forces her onto the walk with him.
• He is well disciplined, as shown through his manner of
speech and his actions towards Catherine by telling her
to consider her options, and not forcing her to make a
decision and choose him.
Characterization (cont’d)
Catherine
• She is a follower, literally in terms of
the walk.
• She is very unsure about her future
and what she wants, nonetheless
with whom she wants to be with.
• She is insecure with herself because
she choose to settle with a man that
she knew was not the person for her.
Structure
 As the story progresses, so does how far they get
into the woods.
 The deeper they go into the woods, the more
they confess about their love for each other.
 This hints to either how deep their love for each
other is or how deep they have to find it within
themselves.
 Either way though, their love overcomes
themselves only leading to them being together
in the end.
Motif
•
•
The line “One foot in front of the other-through leaves, over
bridges,” is mentioned throughout the story, describing the
struggle/journey love faces through obstacles.
Also, it describes the slow and steady way it took for them to
realize they loved each other, and what it will take to continue
it’s growth.
Importance of Title
• Originally supposed to be “Hell to Get
Along With”, which is a more playful
title, possibly reflecting their playful
relationship, although this characteristic
was not evident in the story.
• Symbolic of the couple starting their
new life together “forever”