The Effects Of War In Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five

For anyone that has personally or has a family member that was in a war will know that when they step foot into the chaotic and unforgiving world of war it takes a part of you away and leaves something gruesome behind. Kurt Vonnegut the author of Slaughterhouse Five was in one of the worst wars to this date, World War Two. In Vonnegut 's book, the main character, Billy Pilgrim goes through many hardships in World War Two. As Bill is thrown around in his travels in the great war, we get some insight into the horrific stories that he endures. Billy 's story really starts at the Battle of the Bulge where his newly assigned regiment was destroyed leaving Billy dazed and wondering behind enemy lines. There Billy found a squad that kept him alive while his sense of well being was becoming as Billy says “unstuck”. As they travel we get some insight to some of the effects of war. Billy 's mental state repeatedly fades into his past and future …show more content…
They might be fighting for the same goal but disagree to who should be fighting. But most people will ignore those pretenses when they see someone is in need of help. Later in the story as the soldiers reach the camp, Billy ended up catching on fire in a banquet hall with some Englishmen. One of the men put out the flames and tried to talk to Billy. When the Englishman looked at Billy he said “My God-what have they done to you, lad? This isn 't a man. It 's a broken Kite”(123-124) Even after putting the fire the Englishman felt sorry for the condition that Billy was in and put past the difference to help him. Later in Billy 's and the Englishman 's conversation, the Englishman saw Billy 's jacket, noticing how torn and small it was on him. “That coat was an insult. It was a deliberate attempt to humiliate you. You mustn 't let Jerry do things like that.” (124) Giving even more insightful look into the lives of soldiers in harsh