Slaughterhouse-Five Discussion Questions

What does the chirping of birds, “Poo-tee-weet”, symbolize?

In the first chapter of Slaughterhouse-Five, Vonnegut, in order to justify the jumbled and jangled structure of his book on World War II, states that “there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre.” Vonnegut further mentions that when a bird is asked about a massacre, it just responds by repeating the nonsensical “Poo-tee-weet.” Vonnegut, throughout the novel, has stressed many times about the futility of war and how we justify a massacre by believing that the concept of free will does not exist and whatever happens to us is already destined. Since human beings believe that we can exercise free will, hence the mention of a dreadful incident such as a massacre can only be responded by saying the nonsensical “Poo-tee-weet.”

How is Roland Weary a foil to Billy Pilgrim?

A violent and deluded soldier, Roland Weary serves as a foil to Billy Pilgrim who is meek and has no high philosophy regarding valor and honor. Weary saves Billy’s life many times and treats Billy inhumanely to keep Billy moving. Billy, however, does not wish to continue the journey and wishes to die. Weary thinks himself to be a war hero and takes pride in his noble deeds. He thinks he deserves honor and praise. Billy is more of a realist and knows that there is no honor in getting killed and living such a life of misery. Billy’s pacifist attitude is also a foil to Weary’s deluded notion of the glorification of war.

Identify the various genres in the novel.

The novel is genre-bending and comprises elements of fiction and nonfiction. It also assumes an autobiographical tone but remains deeply embedded in science fiction. The entire novel is set in the backdrop of World War II, in which the author had participated. Hence, historical elements are juxtaposed with the fantastical elements of science fiction.

How is the structure of the novel unique?

The novel lacks a proper beginning, middle, and end, and it does not follow a linear, conventional timeline. The story begins with the protagonist in 1968 after he has survived the war. He also survives a nervous breakdown and is a wealthy optometrist. However, soon after, Billy time-jumps into his past, especially to the war years around 1944, and in the next moment in the future, making the structure of the novel unique.

How many narrative voices can we find in the novel?

A third-person omniscient narrator mainly voices the novel. Vonnegut too lends his voice to the novel, making it a first-person narration often. The author enters the novel both as a commentator and as a character. The first and the last chapter are told from his point of view along with his periodical declaration of his presence: “That was me,” “I was there,” or “I said that.”