Entry #20: Reality or Insanity?

CHPTER 10:

     A question that was never answered, but was presented throughout the book, was: is Billy Pilgrim was actually telling the truth about the Tralfamadorians or if he was insane like his daughter thought he was.  Was Billy Pilgrim really "unstuck in time" or was he having flashbacks of the war?  We know that Billy Pilgrim suffered from PTSD, but Vonnegut never told us how severely he suffered from it... or did he?  Was every time travel really a hallucination?

     Personally, I believe that Billy Pilgrim was insane.  A few factors led me to believe this.  First was his encounter with the Tralfamadorians.  Pilgrim said he knew that he would be taken, which indicates that this encounter was only in his head.  Secondly, while Billy is driving through Illium, he is being reminded of Dresden everywhere he looks.  "Billy's smile as he came out of the shrubbery was at least as peculiar as Mona Lisa's, for he was simultaneously on foot in Germany's in 1944 and riding his Cadillac in 1967... The neighborhood reminded Billy of some of the towns he had seen in the war... Billy drove through a scene of even greater destruction.  It looked like Dresden after it was fire-bombed." (pages 58-59) This is another indicator that Billy Pilgrim suffers from PTSD.

     Thirdly, at the beginning of the book, Vonnegut mentions that Billy, during his senior year at optometry school suffered from a nervous breakdown and was treated in a veterans hospital.  This tells us that Billy Pilgrim's had been emotionally damaged from the war.  Fourthly, Billy Pilgrim only mentions the Tralfamadorians after the plane crash, which he suffered brain damage from.  

     There is much more evidence to support that Billy Pilgrim is insane and that his experiences with the Tralfamadorians and time travel are all just figments of his imagination.  Considering Billy Pilgrim's experience in the war and his injury from the plane crash, his insanity is by no fault of his own.  Billy Pilgrim created this other reality to cope with the traumatic events in his life.

Entry #19: Allegory

CHAPTER 10:

Kurt Vonnegut

     After finishing Slaughterhouse-Five, the hidden meaning of this allegory is clear to me.  Vonnegut uses the experience of his own life, mixed with fiction, to teach a lesson to the reader.  A lesson, which he learned because of the bombing of Dresden and the events that transpired during the war.  Vonnegut wishes to teach the reader that all life is precious.  He believes that those who fight wars are like children; they are ignorant of consequences.  The consequences of the Allied bombing of Dresden was huge: thousands of innocents lost their lives.  

     Tragic and terrible things happen to good and innocent people and unfortunately, we cannot always stop this from happening.  As Vonnegut says on page 211, "if I am going to spend eternity visiting this moment and that, I'm grateful that so many of those moments are nice."  There are so many bad things that happen in life.  However, if we focus only on those bad things, then we miss out on the good.  

     The past, the present, and the future are all equally important.  Everything that happens to us has an impact on our lives.  The past and future events are no more important than the present nor is the present more important than the past or future.  If something bad happens now, something good will happen later.  If something good happens now, something bad will happen later.  But life will always continue.      

Entry #18: Colors

CHAPTER 9:

     Colors are unique in the sense that they can evoke emotions from us humans.  Colors are often used as symbols and Kurt Vonnegut uses them frequently in his novel.  The colors he uses the most are orange, black, blue, and ivory.  

     The color orange is often associated with the strength, happiness, joy, endurance, and determination.  Orange is often used with the color black, which is associated with death, mystery, fear, evil, and power.  While describing the box cars that the POWs were loaded into, Vonnegut describes the boxcars as being "stripped with black and orange".  The color black, in this case symbolizes death, while orange symbolizes endurance.  From the combination of these two colors the reader can infer that the POWs will be enduring a trip that will lead some of them to their deaths. 

     The color blue is often associated with power, tranquility, rebirth, and loyalty.  It is used by itself, like on page 183 when describing Billy's wife's death, "poor Valencia was unconscious, overcome by carbon monoxide.  She was a heavenly azure."  In this case, azure (a shade of blue) is used to symbolize tranquility.  Valencia has found peace in death.  

     Blue is also used with the color ivory.  Ivory usually represents purity, innocence, and goodness.  When Billy Pilgrim is walking outside on the night of his abduction he notices that his feet are "blue and ivory".  Blue symbolizes rebirth and ivory symbolizes innocence.  From this remark, Vonnegut foreshadows that Billy Pilgrim is about to embark on a journey that will mark the beginning of a new phase in his life, one where he will lose his human innocence and his eyes will be opened to knew knowledge and truths about life.    

Entry #17: Symbolism

CHAPTER 9:

      Vonnegut uses symbolism to express many ideas in his novel.  On page 208 he uses the passage: "There was a silver chain around Montana Wildhack's neck.  Hanging from it, between her breasts, was a locket containing a photograph of her alcoholic mother––a grainy thing, soot and chalk.  It could have been anybody.  Engraved on the outside of the locket were these words: God grant me the serenity to change the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference" to convey a deeper meaning.  Wildhack's childhood was obviously tragic because of her alcoholic mother.  However, the words inside the locket are parallel to the meaning behind Vonnegut's refrain "so it goes".

       As I said earlier in a blog, "so it goes" is a phrase Vonnegut uses after something tragic has happened.  It means that humans can do nothing to control the events around them and that they should not spend time mourning those events.  The words inside Wildhack's locket symbolize that one needs to accept the that some things are outside of your control while finding the strength to control the things you can.  For the things you cannot control though, don't dwell on them, instead focus on the positives in life.  Wildhack couldn't control her mother's drinking problem.  However, instead of hating her mother, she chooses to have her mother serve as a reminder of the words written on the inside of her locket. 

     

Entry #16: British Free Corps

     CHAPTER 8:

     "[Howard W. Campbell Jr.] had come to the slaughterhouse to recruit men for a German military unit called 'The Free American Corps.'  Campbell was the inventor and commander of the unit, which was supposed to fight only on the Russian front." (page 162) 

     

      As I was reading this passage caught my eye.  I've studied World War II in the past, but I had never heard of the "Free American Corps" unit.  When I researched it, I found that this unit never did actually exist, however there was a British Free Corps unit.  With research I found that the details Vonnegut uses to describe the "Free American Corps" is parallel to the actual events that took place involving the British Free Corps.  

Nazi propaganda for the British Free Corps.

A soldier of the British Free Corps talking
with German officials.

     "He was Howard W. Campbell, Jr., an American who had become a Nazi."  The real man behind the British Free Corps was John Amery, the son of Leo Army who was the British Minister of India.  He believed that the Jews and Soviet were planning to overthrow western civilization and when his views became known in Germany, he was invited to Berlin in 1942.  The Germans realized that using the son of a British government official would go a long way for Nazi propaganda.  

     I Nazi officials sent him to France where he learned of a group of pro-Nazi Frenchmen that fought for the SS, this inspired him to create the British version that would be used to fight against the Soviets.  The Nazis were able to recruit 30 men for this unit, however they would make no impact on the war.  In 1944 when the Allies landed in Normandy the British Free Corps were sent into battle, however they believed that they would only be fighting the Soviets and refused to fight their fellow countrymen.  The unit was removed from the battlefield and sent to Russia where they were held in reserve.  

     When the war finally ended the men who had been in this unit were viewed as a joke by the public. A few were jailed, but most were simply questioned and then released.  John Amery, the founder of the unit, had a public trial where he was found guilty and hanged.

Entry #15: Indirect Characterization

CHAPTER 8:

     "Unexpectedly, Billy Pilgrim found himself upset by the song and the occasion.  He had never had an old gang, old sweethearts and pals, but he missed one anyway, as the quartet made slow agonized experiments with chords-–chords intentionally sour, sourer still, unbearably sour, and then a chord that was suffocatingly sweet, and then some sour ones again.  Billy had powerful psychosomatic responses to the changing chords.  His mouth filled with taste of lemonade, and his face became grotesque, as though he really were being stretched on the torture engine called the rack." (pages 172-173) This indirect characterization of Billy Pilgrim indicates to the reader that he suffers from PTSD.  Vonnegut describes Billy's reaction to the song the barbershop quartet is singing to show that Billy is subconsciously reminded of a horrible event in his life.  Later in the chapter Vonnegut reveals that painful memory is about the German guards' reaction to the destruction of Dresden, "the guards drew together instinctively, rolled their eyes.  They experimented with one expression and then another, said nothing, though their mouths were often open.  They looked like a silent film of a barbershop quartet." (page 178) 

     The affects of PTSD on a person are great ones and vary in degree.  A person, especially a veteran just returning from war can suffer from constant paranoia or someone who hasn't seen war in years can have reactions like Billy Pilgrim did.  However the affects last a lifetime and are a tragic consequence those that serve our country have to suffer.  Vonnegut's words show us that Billy is emotionally scarred from the war, just as all veterans would be.   

Entry #14: Golliwogs

CHAPTER 7:

     "They wore black wind masks with two holes for their eyes and a red topknot.  They looked like golliwogs, like white people pretending to be black for the laughs they could get." (page 156)

Golliwog dolls.  This doll actually lead to the development
of the Raggedy-Anne and Raggedy-Andy dolls.

     When I read this passive I was utterly confused as to what Vonnegut was talking about.  I have never seen or heard of the word, "golliwogs" before.  I knew that this was an imagery word, however since I didn't know what it meant, the passage held no meaning for me.  When I looked up the word I found that is was a reference to a raggedy-ann like doll, except that instead of white skin and red hair it was a black skin and black afro type of doll.  With a little more research I learned that the word "golliwog" or the shorter term, "wog,"came to be used as a racial derogative for African Americans.

  The doll first came into public appearance when Florence Kate Upton published her book, The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls in 1895.  Upton personally illustrated her own children's book and her ugly creation was embraced by the English public.  The golliwogg (as it was originally called) was a lovable, but ugly creature.  Upton never got a copyright for her creation so it was recreated and the name changed to golliwog.  The golliwog became a cherished doll for children's throughout the first half of the 20th century.  However when racial tensions rose in the 1960s the use of the golliwog changed.

     In books golliwogs were often portrayed as vicious and evil villains.  They also were even banned from being sold in some areas.  The advocates of the civil rights movement argued that golliwogs  damaged the psyche of black and other minority children because they were so ugly and disfigured.  Images of the golliwog became more animal-like than human shaped and the term "wog" was used as an insult.  

    Going back and re-reading Vonnegut's passage, I have a clear mental image of what Billy Pilgrim thought he was seeing.

Entry #13: Figurative Language

CHAPTER 7:

     Vonnegut uses figurative language throughout the entirety of his novel.  The uses of this device allows us readers to better understand what he is trying to convey to us.  Billy Pilgrim is on an airplane with the singing quartet and other optometrists, which includes his father-in-law, Lionel Merble.  Vonnegut writes during this particular scene that, "Lionel Merble was a machine.  Tralfamadorians, of course, say that every creature and planet in the universe is a machine.  It amuses them that so many Earthlings are offended by the ideas of being machines" (page 154) The use of the word, "machine," is an example of figurative language.  When Vonnegut wrote "machine" he did not mean that Lionel Merble was literally a machine with bolts and iron and such.  He meant instead, that Lionel Merble's was like a machine in the way he acted and thought.  He goes on to write that all humans and things are like a machine too. 

     Machines are built and they run in accordance to how they are built: Humans are raised and their behavior is a reflection of how they were raised.  Even though machines break, they can be patched up and continue to work: Even though humans are hurt, either physically or psychologically, they can recover and continue with their lives.  Machines are repetitive in their actions: Humans are repetitive in their actions.  Machines function automatically: Humans function automatically.  

     Being a machine is not necessarily a bad thing.  Vonnegut uses this figurative language as a way to reveal a truth about human behavior.  We are like machines, but there is nothing wrong with that.    

Entry #12: Dresden

  CHAPTER 6:

     Why was Dresden bombed?  Throughout the novel Vonnegut never answers that question, even thought the book is about the morally controversial bombing of that city.  The military defended their actions by saying it was a necessary attack, while many citizens disagreed.  Over 3,900 bombs and incendiary devices were dropped on the city, killing and injuring thousands of civilians.  Ironically, an Englishman in Vonnegut's book tells the American POWs that, "You needn't worry bombs, by the way.  Dresden is an open city.  It is undefended, and contains no war industries or troops concentrations of any importance."  If this was true, then why would the city be bombed?

     At the time the military claimed that any city that was in support of and aiding the Nazi regime was a legitimate target.  However, many U.S. citizens question as to whether that justified the deaths of countless of innocents.  Dresden was an industrial centre that was known for its beautiful architecture and many refugees came to the city to avoid the Red army (Russian army).  While the bombing was never considered a war crime, many people believe that it was still highly immoral.

     Whether or not you agree with the bombing it should be something that the people of our country learn from.  The city of Dresden, a once beautiful city that was built in medieval times, was reduced to rubble.  An unknown number of innocents were killed, their bodies piling the streets.  The U.S. prides itself on defending the innocents.  In our court system we are "innocent until proven guilty," and the death penalty is hardly ever given to heinous criminals.  Yet even with all of that, the military can still justify its bombing on thousands of innocents?  The bombing of Dresden should serve as a lesson to our military leaders that the innocent of all nations should be defended, not harmed.   

Watch Vonnegut recall his experience of the bombing of Dresden.

Entry #11: Tone

CHAPTER 6:

     Throughout the novel, Vonnegut uses a specific tone to tell this story.  The tone he uses helps influence us readers in how we interpret his words and visualize the scene he is portraying.  The best word that I can think of to describe the tone Vonnegut uses is monotone.  There is very little emotion in his words as he describes tragedies and horrors of not only World War II, but also the daily lives of the characters in the story.  The phrase, "so it goes" is an example of how Vonnegut detaches himself from the events in the novel.  Vonnegut rarely ever describes how a character feels after a tragedy has taken place.  Maybe he thinks that the audience should be able to imagine how the character would feel, however I believe he uses this monotone or detached tone for a different reason.
     Vonnegut is using this novel as a means to tell people about his experience witnessing the fire bombing of Dresden, which later became one of the most controversial moral issues of the time.  A veteran of war, Vonnegut experienced psychological trauma like every other soldier does.  When retelling the events of his life, Vonnegut uses Billy Pilgrim as a substitute for himself.  By doing this Vonnegut is able to recall the experiences he went through by pretending like they happened to someone else.  Vonnegut reframes from making an emotional connection with the events he writes about, instead he uses Billy Pilgrim and the philosophy of "so it goes" to help him tell the story that needs to be told, without him having to completely relive the horrors he faced.