Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is a unique novel. The story explores many themes such as war, fate, pride, and free will. Unlike many novels, the events in the story are not told in chronological order. This story tells the life of Billy Pilgrim, a soldier during World War II who claims aliens abducted him. During his time in Germany, Billy becomes “unstuck in time.” Essentially, Billy jumps from one moment in his life to another without control. To explain the story, it must be broken down into three main parts: Billy’s time in war, Billy’s time on the planet Tralfamadore, and Billy’s life after the war. The main focus of the story is Billy’s experiences in Germany. Billy, an eighteen year old boy, is a chaplain’s assistant. A chaplain’s

He begins studying optometry in his hometown of Ilium, New York. Before finishing his studies, Billy is sent to a mental hospital. Here, he meets another patient, Elliot Rosewater. Elliot introduces Billy to the science-fiction novels of Kilgore Trout. Interestingly enough, Billy reads these books and is introduced to many unique concepts, specifically aliens. Later on in his life, Billy marries Valencia Merble. They have two kids and enjoy a peaceful life together. About 20 years after the war, Billy’s is in plane crash but survives with only a major head wound. While on the way to visit Billy, Valencia’s car is damaged and the exhaust pipe is wrecked. She continues driving to the hospital but dies of carbon monoxide poisoning. After Billy heals, he decides he must share the Tralfamadorians’ beliefs to the whole world. He makes this his life goal. Billy gains a following because of his lectures and speeches. In the middle of the 1970’s, Billy gives a speech in Chicago. In this speech, he prophesizes his own death. After the speech is over, his prediction comes true when Paul Lazzaro shoots and kills him. This is not the end of Billy’s life because he can continue to relive all of the moments of his life from birth to