About the Author
Which war did Kurt Vonnegut serve in that influenced Slaughterhouse-Five?
WW2
What does the phrase "So it goes" symbolize in the novel?
Acceptance of death
The novel is primarily based on what real historical event?
Firebombing of Dresden
What is unusual about the way chapter 1 is written?
Vonnegut inserts himself into the story, speaks from a first-person perspective
What is Billy Pilgrim's profession after the war?
Optometrist
What traumatic event did Vonnegut survive as a prisoner of war that shaped the novel's setting?
Firebombing of Dresden
How does Billy Pilgrim's attitude towards life reflect Vonnegut's views towards war?
In what German city does most of the war narrative eventually take place?
Dresden
What happens to Billy Pilgrim's experience of time?
He becomes "unstuck in time" and is able to travel through it
What science fiction element is introduced early in the novel?
Aliens
Where did Vonnegut attend before fighting in the war?
Cornell
How does being "unstuck" in time or the Trafalmadorian's view of time symbolize about Vonnegut's understanding of life and death?
Death is not final, time exists simultaneously
What was the original function of the slaughterhouse during the war?
Used to process meat, later stores prisoners of war
Who is Roland Weary and what is his relationship to Billy?
Soldier who resents and mistreats Billy
What phrase is repeated after every mention of death?
"So it goes"
Where did Vonnegut go after the war and what did he study?
Anthropology at UChicago, became a reporter/writer
How does Roland Weary represent hypocrisy in the war?
Believes he is fighting for something for greater (God, dignity, etc.) but really has no honor
Where was Vonnegut held as a prisoner during WW2?
Dresden, Germany
Why is Billy considered a bad soldier in chapter 2?
Lacks the equipment and training to be a soldier
What delusion does Roland Weary have about himself?
He thinks he is an honorable soldier, like the Three Musketeers
What type of unique literary method does Vonnegut use in chapter 1?
Self-insertion / metafiction
2 examples of death in the story
Dad dying, wife dying
What happens to Billy Pilgrim after the war?
Goes on shows and writes about his encounter with aliens
What causes Billy to be captured by enemy forces?
He is hiding behind enemy lines
What type of narrative time structure does the novel use?
Non-linear