55 pages • 1-hour read
Slaughterhouse-Five
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Essay Topics
The opening of Slaughterhouse-Five states that “all this happened, more or less” (7). How does this phrase alter the perception of Billy Pilgrim’s story?
The story of Slaughterhouse-Five does not unfold in chronological order. What is the effect of presenting the narrative in this fragmented fashion?
The English officers put on a performance of Cinderella for the American prisoners. How is the idea of performance applicable to the men’s time in the camp? Who else is performing?
The phrase “so it goes” accompanies mentions of death in the book. How is this phrase influenced by Billy’s experience with the aliens?
The Russian prisoners suffer in silence while the British prisoners seem to enjoy themselves. How do the various nationalities of the prisoners affect their experiences?
Billy tries to tell his story, but no one will listen to him. Other people accuse Billy of being insane. What does their diagnosis say about the nature of the world?
The narrator plays a key role in the first and final chapters. How does the narrator’s character differ from Billy Pilgrim?
How does Kilgore Trout influence Billy Pilgrim? Is he a good or a bad influence?
Billy has a restrained and occasionally cold relationship with his family. How does the death of his wife impact him, if at all?
Billy’s experience in Dresden changes him forever. How does the memory haunt him? How does his trauma influence his actions in the future?
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