Avery Kalish
Slaughterhouse-Five and Reilly Article Essay Assignment
Mr. Koup, Period B
17 May 2023
The Downfalls of Fatalism and Its Impact on Individual Lives In his inspiring novel Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut provides an ability for readers to question their beliefs surrounding fate, time, and humanity itself through the novel’s main character, Billy Pilgrim. Billy ventures to an alienated planet called Tralfamadore, in which he adopts their way of life, culture, and most importantly, beliefs. Billy embraces the Tralfamadorians’ “so it goes” philosophy, and believes everything that happened was destined to, as the universe already has its past, present, and future set in stone. On the other hand, Rick Reilly, author of many Sports Illustrated articles, provides a different perspective on life, emphasizing
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Many people who believe in Fatalism often bypass the emotional aspects of death and tragedy, as they believe it is destined to happen. It is always important to still reach out to the people who genuinely care, because it can make their grief and sadness much easier to handle. Disregarding the devastating losses endured by millions of people around the world each day with a dismissive phrase like "so it goes" demonstrates an extreme lack of consideration. Even though people disregard the melancholy relating to death or tragedy, as it is the way the world works, it is still crucial to offer support and a helping hand to individuals going through a rough time. This will enable them to find solace and appreciate the short time they have on this earth, no matter their belief about their destiny. By cultivating closeness and empathy within their communities, individuals can contribute to a happier world, regardless of their predetermined