Stress Disorder In Billy Pilgrim's Slaughterhouse-Five

War Synthesis Essay

War is a highly controversial subject, and sometimes can be seen as unnecessary. However, there is one thing that remains true about every war; it has heavy emotional effects for people that are involved with it. One of the most prominent effects is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is a mental condition that is caused by a traumatic event that is oftentimes war. It is shown by Billy Pilgrim’s depression, a Korengal Valley soldier’s insomnia, and Vladek unnecessary obsessiveness. Yet, the people affected by PTSD still persevere and have hope that they will overcome their difficulties.

Kurt Vonnegut uses Billy Pilgrim from Slaughterhouse-Five to show how heavily war can affect people. Billy battles with depression, and this can be seen throughout the novel when he cries for seemingly no reason. That is because he is struggling with PTSD. Under orders

Throughout the story, Vladek is admired as a strong and heroic person. But, this changes after the war, and his obsessiveness can be observed when he is talking with his son. He has preoccupations in saving money, pedaling, and counting his medicines (Spiegelman 30, 73). For any normal person, these obsessions might seem strange, but it is understandable since Vladek has PTSD from the holocaust. In addition to his preoccupations, he tells his son that he also reads a prevention magazine, and follows their advice about health. He tells him, “I must fight to save my life” (Spiegelman 26). This remark is due to the fighting he did when he was a soldier, and when he was in the holocaust. It also shows that he still believes he must fight and push through his difficulties, whether that may be sicknesses or PTSD. Even though Vladek was a soldier in war (before being in concentration camps), being in the holocaust shows that not only soldiers can have this condition, but anyone involved with war can