Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, and epic, or a play of recognized literary merit and show how the author’s manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Time is always a fragile element in many works of literature that can be used in a multitude of ways. The most common way is to present the past, present, and future in that sequence. Some authors use flashbacks to show how events in the past tie into events in the present. In some pieces of literature, the past or future is presented first, following the present to depict how events come together. In Slaughterhouse-Five, however, Vonnegut’s use of time is incomparable. With the concept of time being one of the prime focuses in the novel, the author brings a unique philosophy to this precious element.
In the first chapter, the beginning, middle, and end of the novel are given in brief summary. This is odd in most cases; authors usually try to keep readers hooked by not spoiling the end. However, Vonnegut crafts his way into constructing a truly exceptional piece of literature. It is not the sequence of events that matters most in this story. In fact, Vonnegut tries to prove that the sequence of the protagonist, Billy Pilgrim’s life does not matter at all. Billy is what Vonnegut describes as being “unstuck in time,” meaning he travels through different times in his life involuntarily. One significant time in his life, besides being a soldier in the war, is when he is kidnapped by the aliens of the unknown planet, Tralfamadore. It is from the Tralfamadorians that Billy learns the “true” philosophy of time.
According to the Tralfamadorians, there is truly no beginning, middle, or end to life. Every moment has always existed and always will exist. This philosophy enlightens Billy to a whole new perspective of life, which he wishes to share with the world “when the time is ripe.” What Vonnegut is portraying is that because the sequence of time is meaningless, every moment in time already exists. Therefore, fate cannot be changed by any one person or any higher being. This reflects his religious beliefs as well, being as he considered himself agnostic and atheist.
All throughout the book, readers begin to convince themselves of this philosophy. It is a very tempting belief and offers a sense of stability in the world. Just as Vonnegut is encouraging this concept of time, he creates a scene that contradicts this whole theory, sending readers into mass confusion. In one incident in which Billy is sent back in time, he is watching a war video on the television. Strangely, he begins to watch the episode backwards. The planes are flying backwards, the flames disappear, weapons are disassembled, parts are put back in their place, and minerals are secretly buried so that they do not cause any harm. The reader is intrigued that when the video is played backwards, it contradicts the meaning of war and represents an element of peacefulness. Therefore, the previous theory that the sequence of things does not matter is rebutted. While the element of time is crucial in the plot of this story, it is nearly impossible to grasp Vonnegut’s true philosophy of time.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Slaughterhouse-Five Adaptations
Slaughterhouse-Five was produced as a film in 1972. The screenplay was written by Stephen Geller and it was directed by George Roy Hill. Billy Pilgrim was played by actor Michael Sacks, who was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1973 for his role in the film as “Most Promising Newcomer-Male.”
The novel was also created as a theatrical adaptation in 1996. It was written and directed by Eric Simonson at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, IL. In 1996, it was composed as in opera performance by Hans-Jürgen von Bose at Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
Below is a clip of various significant scenes of the Slaughterhouse-Five.
The novel was also created as a theatrical adaptation in 1996. It was written and directed by Eric Simonson at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, IL. In 1996, it was composed as in opera performance by Hans-Jürgen von Bose at Bavarian State Opera in Munich.
Below is a clip of various significant scenes of the Slaughterhouse-Five.
Religious or Sacrilegious?
While this book is advertised as being an anti-war book, its content goes much deeper. Themes that are brushed in Slaughterhouse-Five include religion and fate. These actually play extremely significant roles in the novel. Vonnegut often labeled himself as a non-believer or an atheist, which is reflected in his writings. His beliefs on religion and fate go hand and hand in this novel.
Vonnegut uses mention of the Biblical story of Lot’s wife in the first chapter of the novel and compares Billy Pilgrim to her. Vonnegut creates the character Billy Pilgrim to resemble her in the sense that they both know their fate. Vonnegut describes that Lot’s wife, though she was warned not to look back, knew that she had no control over her fate. According to Vonnegut, Lot’s wife was not able to make herself not turn away because it was already her fate. Similarly, because Billy is “unstuck and time” and the Tralfamadorians have given him a new perspective of time, he has the advantage of knowing that nothing can control one’s fate, whether it is themselves or a higher being.
However, it is difficult to grasp Vonnegut’s true concept of fate. He first describes the Tralfamadorians’ concept of time, which explains every moment in time has always existed and always will exist. He explains that the past, present, and future have always existed and that they could never be changed. This is the philosophy that Billy Pilgrim adopts, but as the story goes on, other concepts are added to this theory. If the past, present, and future can not be changed and have always existed, then it would not matter in which sequence they occur. This is, at first, evident in the life of Billy with him being “unstuck in time.” However, Vonnegut introduces new ideas, such as the sequence in which Billy’s events occurred truly did make a difference. The ideas previously depicted start to change as the story goes on.
Vonnegut uses mention of the Biblical story of Lot’s wife in the first chapter of the novel and compares Billy Pilgrim to her. Vonnegut creates the character Billy Pilgrim to resemble her in the sense that they both know their fate. Vonnegut describes that Lot’s wife, though she was warned not to look back, knew that she had no control over her fate. According to Vonnegut, Lot’s wife was not able to make herself not turn away because it was already her fate. Similarly, because Billy is “unstuck and time” and the Tralfamadorians have given him a new perspective of time, he has the advantage of knowing that nothing can control one’s fate, whether it is themselves or a higher being.
However, it is difficult to grasp Vonnegut’s true concept of fate. He first describes the Tralfamadorians’ concept of time, which explains every moment in time has always existed and always will exist. He explains that the past, present, and future have always existed and that they could never be changed. This is the philosophy that Billy Pilgrim adopts, but as the story goes on, other concepts are added to this theory. If the past, present, and future can not be changed and have always existed, then it would not matter in which sequence they occur. This is, at first, evident in the life of Billy with him being “unstuck in time.” However, Vonnegut introduces new ideas, such as the sequence in which Billy’s events occurred truly did make a difference. The ideas previously depicted start to change as the story goes on.
The Quirks of Kurt
Even at first glance, the reader can tell that Slaughterhouse-Five is a typical work of Kurt Vonnegut. He uses dark humor and satire all throughout the text. Characters and events in Vonnegut’s books are often very similar to one another. In Slaughterhouse-Five, the first chapter is written in Vonnegut’s voice. He introduces his reasoning for the novel, his experiences of the firebombing of Dresden, and explains that the novel is written in a jumble because there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre.
Upon reading the second chapter, the reader is convinced the Slaughterhouse-Five is, indeed, written in a jumble. Vonnegut tends to break all the rules of writing, developing his very unique style. Vonnegut often seems to get off track by writing randomness about small details that he mentions, then continuing with what he was writing before. It is hard to tell, at times, if the information he is giving is crucial to the story or if it his humorous rubbish again. Nonetheless, he never fails to keep the reader hooked with every passing chapter until the novel’s end.
Slaughterhouse-Five, as explained in Chapter 1, was written as an anti-war book about the bombing of Dresden. Vonnegut is very blunt in his writings, as always. Upon reading, the audience is pulled into this piece of history, making them want to research the firebombing of Dresden themselves and compare it to Vonnegut’s explanation. While the copyright page warns readers not to, it is difficult not to view the protagonist Billy Pilgrim as Vonnegut himself. However, it is a complex process trying to analyze what is true in the story and what is Vonnegut’s quirky imagination.
Upon reading the second chapter, the reader is convinced the Slaughterhouse-Five is, indeed, written in a jumble. Vonnegut tends to break all the rules of writing, developing his very unique style. Vonnegut often seems to get off track by writing randomness about small details that he mentions, then continuing with what he was writing before. It is hard to tell, at times, if the information he is giving is crucial to the story or if it his humorous rubbish again. Nonetheless, he never fails to keep the reader hooked with every passing chapter until the novel’s end.
Slaughterhouse-Five, as explained in Chapter 1, was written as an anti-war book about the bombing of Dresden. Vonnegut is very blunt in his writings, as always. Upon reading, the audience is pulled into this piece of history, making them want to research the firebombing of Dresden themselves and compare it to Vonnegut’s explanation. While the copyright page warns readers not to, it is difficult not to view the protagonist Billy Pilgrim as Vonnegut himself. However, it is a complex process trying to analyze what is true in the story and what is Vonnegut’s quirky imagination.
Slaughterhouse-Five Publication Blurb
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut was published in 1969 by The Dial Press, A Division of Random House, Inc. in New York, NY. It is described as an anti-war science fiction book inspired by World War II. When it was first published, it was titled Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children's Crusade, but it later became simply Slaughterhouse-Five.
Kurt Vonnegut Bio Blurb
Kurt Vonnegut, born on November 11, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana, was an American author known for his mixture of black comedy, satire, and science fiction in his works. His experiences in World War II often were reflected in his novels, which he published from 1950-2005. He died on April 11, 2007.
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