MS JARRETT MY PRINTER IS DEAD

Slaughter House V: Discussion Questions and Quote Analysis
Sam Pletcher
1. What is the significance behind Vonnegut’s brief random additions about his life in the war? Was Billy Pilgrim a real person Vonnegut knew or did Vonnegut base Pilgrim after himself?
2. Is the tone of the phrase “so it goes” ironic or sarcastic at all? Or is Vonnegut making a serious statement about life and death?
3. If the story was told in chronological order, would it be as famous or important? Would it even be an intelligent book?

“ ’No, no,’ says Billy serenely. “It is time for you to go home to your wives and children, and it is time for me to be dead for a little while—and then live again.” At that moment, Billy’s high forehead is in the cross hairs of a high powered laser gun. It is aimed at him from the darkened press box. In the next moment, Billy Pilgrim is dead. So it goes.
So Billy experiences death for a while. It is simply violet light and a hum. There isn’t anybody else there. Not even Billy Pilgrim is there. [page 43]”
This quote displays all the book has been to me so far. Not only does it display the infamous ‘so it goes’, but just the feeling of absurdity and normalcy all at the same time, seems so perfectly ‘Vonnegut.’ Also, just the fact that Vonnegut wrote the death of the protagonist in the middle of the novel, and then continued on with the story in the next paragraph is baffling. I believe this quote captured the essence of Vonnegut; a peculiar science fiction feel, an eerie morality lesson, and his signature phrase. Though death is described so simply, no Tralfamadorians, no flashbacks, no ivory and white feet, just light.

ap euro vocab

Attrition
Gradual reduction of something through attack
Proletarian
Working class
Plebiscite
A yes/no vote
Luddite
One who rejects technology
Ecclesiastical
Pertaining to the church
Secular
Non religious
Gentry
Upper class
Misogyny
Hatred of woman
Temporal
Something with churches
Autarky
Economic independence
Vernacular
Expressed in the native language
Irredentism
A country should be ruled by one of their own
Nepotism
Passing down through the family (as in, a church office)
Orthodox
Traditional/customary beliefs
Laity
Body of worshipers
Quisling
A traitor, of puppet nature
Iconoclast
One who destroys religious artifacts
Magistrate
A civil officer
Venal
Open to bribery
Bourgeoisie
The middle class
Sedition
An action promoting governmental rebellion
Dissident
Disagreeing

ANNNNNAAAAAAA

Anyone can get PTSD at any age. This includes war veterans and survivors of physical and sexual assault, abuse, accidents, disasters, and many other serious events.
says that NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/who-gets-ptsd.shtml

PTSD FOR ANNA

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

Billy Pilgrim shows signs of PTSD because he displays many of these symptoms...

Flashbacks
Bad dreams
Frightening thoughts
Being easily startled
Feeling tense or “on edge”
Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts.