Before reading this novel, I was reluctant at to what the purpose or meaning of the novel was. I knew it was in regards to a survivor of the World Wars, who has decided to create an anti-war novel explaining the various experiences and emotions during this tragic time of war and bombing. I did not understand how this was going to be an anti-war novel, yet the author was speaking about war and all the techniques and trickeries of surviving the war. In some parts of the book, Vonnegut incorporates inappropriate situations, in-depth, that should not be expressed to all ages. Within chapter two, Billy cheats on his wife with some in the “laundry room”. Another description was found in chapter five, recreating the event of Billy impregnating Valencia.
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Throughout the course of the novel, Vonnegut also writes in a specific way about Billy, that creates an open relationship and understanding of his disposition to the readers. His main characteristic of a free-will is constantly shown throughout the novel, which relays a lesson in that we as human beings have a free-will. We can possess our own opinions, make our own decisions, experience several occurrences and learn in various ways. Although Billy’s character taught me about free-will, there was also the matter of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that Billy showed signs of. After the war, Billy practiced as an optometrist. He tells a little boy about his adventures, “Billy told him matter-of-factly about his adventures on Tralfamadore” (172). This is one of Billy’s illusions that demonstrate a sign of PTSD. Because of his free-will, Billy made the decision anyway to tell the patient of his “journey” to an aloof planet, even if it jeopardized the business of his patients. This teaches me that going to war and experiencing tragic events can take a negative effect on your mental state and sometimes emotional state. To my knowledge, Post-Traumatic Stress disorder is a mental health condition that is initiated by a petrifying event and this is one of those scenarios. This novel was different than any other book I have read before. The literary techniques used such as humor, that added to the dramatic effect that positively relayed to the reader, Vonnegut’s opinions and stories regarding this time of war. There are many issues that are discussed throughout the book surrounding symptoms of PTSD and how traumatic these events he experienced his taken a toll on his mental state. But what I have taken away from this novel is that those who go off to war to fight for their country should be thanked and honored in the utmost respect,
Throughout the course of the novel, Vonnegut also writes in a specific way about Billy, that creates an open relationship and understanding of his disposition to the readers. His main characteristic of a free-will is constantly shown throughout the novel, which relays a lesson in that we as human beings have a free-will. We can possess our own opinions, make our own decisions, experience several occurrences and learn in various ways. Although Billy’s character taught me about free-will, there was also the matter of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that Billy showed signs of. After the war, Billy practiced as an optometrist. He tells a little boy about his adventures, “Billy told him matter-of-factly about his adventures on Tralfamadore” (172). This is one of Billy’s illusions that demonstrate a sign of PTSD. Because of his free-will, Billy made the decision anyway to tell the patient of his “journey” to an aloof planet, even if it jeopardized the business of his patients. This teaches me that going to war and experiencing tragic events can take a negative effect on your mental state and sometimes emotional state. To my knowledge, Post-Traumatic Stress disorder is a mental health condition that is initiated by a petrifying event and this is one of those scenarios. This novel was different than any other book I have read before. The literary techniques used such as humor, that added to the dramatic effect that positively relayed to the reader, Vonnegut’s opinions and stories regarding this time of war. There are many issues that are discussed throughout the book surrounding symptoms of PTSD and how traumatic these events he experienced his taken a toll on his mental state. But what I have taken away from this novel is that those who go off to war to fight for their country should be thanked and honored in the utmost respect,