Slaughterhouse V -2

The War vs. Postmodern World

What did we learn last time?

1) 2) 3)

Metafiction (overplotting & underplotting) as a postmodern response to the lack of sensible history. SH-V The meaninglessness of the war dark comedy, Chapter 1 as the novelistic frame(s) of the authors writing and multiple histories. Multiple interpretation of So it goes: minimalist style, ineffable trauma, or simple acceptance of death

Today War and the Postmodern World

The novel as a dark comic response to the war. 2. War and the Postmodern World next Time 1. Parodies of authorial figure 2. Two Alternative Perspectives beside the Dark Comic one. Trauma fragmentation ( reconstruction)
1.

Vs and Billys Responses

Is Vonnegut traumatized? How about Billy? Why is he unstuck in time? And captured by the Tralfamadorian?

(e.g. "simultaneously on foot in Germany in 1944 and riding his Cadillac in 1967" (58); (pp. 75-77). What are the various responses towards war in the novel?

Vonneguts Responses

Wordlessness -- I know, I know, I know p. 10; lack of memories p. 14; Randomness and inconsequentiality in his life p. 7; telephoners 11 Loss of control over time -- p. 18 Pre-occupied by books re. death and destruction. pillar of salt "So it goes-- 1) passive and emotionless reaction to tragedy and death? 2)Emphasis of both their sadness and meaninglessness.

Vonneguts Responses (2)

(Next Time) Two constructive responses:

Tralfamadore -- "trying to re-invent themselves and their universe" (101) Poo-tee-weet

Billys Immediate Response

committed to a mental hospital 3 years afterwards p. 100

Billys Wordlessness

Re. his son in Vietnam I am [proud of him]. I certainly am. (61)

Billys Obsession

Sounds and smells which trigger his past experience a siren (57) -- It "scared the hell out of him" (57) and "he was expecting World War Three at any time" (57). "back in World War Two again" (58). Cripples (63) as salespersons cripples and their boss the war

Billys Obsession (2)

the neighborhood towns in the war p. 59 Likes to watch war movies; plays the movies forwards and backwards p. 75

Billys time-travel = obsession

Billy has gone to sleep a senile widower and awakened on his wedding day. He has walked through a door in 1955 and come out another one in 1941. He has gone back through that door to find himself in 1963. He has seen his birth and death many times, he says, and pays random visits to all the events in between. He says. Billy is spastic( ) in time, has no control over where he is going next, and the trips aren't necessarily fun. (23)

The Past Remembered by Billy

All related to deaths Sink-or-swim p. 43 Aging mother 44 Marathon runner 45 Deserter

The War (vs. the Postmodern World)

A) cruelty and irrationality *Roland Wearyand Iron Maiden 35; his equipment 3940; his narrow vision 41-42 (vs the real version 50-); revengeful 79 Lazzaro's revenge 84; 139 Childrens Crusade; e.g. Billy as the college boy p.33 the trip to Dresden -- river of humiliation 64

-- the boxcarts that carry the POW 67-69; 70; -- delousing 83

The War (vs. the Postmodern World)

B) heroism, myth vs. reality --the Three Musketeers---Wild Bob's heroism (66-67) -- momentary relief through fantasies the commander and his golden boots,53 in the prison and as a baby 84-85 (later--Cinderella myth)

Billy in the Postmodern World

Loss of religion pp. 38-39 (crucifix as gifts) and sense of direction p. 46-47 Ownership and investment 61 Later: Marries Valencia without loving her (107); V eating a Three Musketeers Candy Bar Makes a lot of money, president of the Lions Club Helpless p. 60 his motto (later) prescribing corrective lenses for Earthling souls p. 29

Vonnegut

I was there.