Monday, April 30, 2012
Slaughterhouse 5: Anti-War or Not?
"The doctors agreed: He was going crazy. They didn't think it had anything to do with the war." Page 100
So the question is: war or no war? I was under the impression this was an anti-war novel. I believed that, like these no-good Communists above, who poison America with unpatriotic nonsense, Kurt was going to tell us exactly why we should never have a war again. However, if anything, this is satirical in regards to war in a way. Although the scenes depicting Dresden were accurate, Vonnegut stayed very removed either way from his stance on war. I was impressed with his ability to create a character that merely acknowledged what he saw as he did many other parts of his life, not taking away the horror of the situation but the experience they gavee him for his life. I am still undecided as to whether this is indeed an anti-war novel or a relaying of events.
Slaughterhouse 5: Chirp Chirp
"BAM! BLAM BLAST POW! BOOM! WHIZ! *Grunt, wheeze, moans of pain , suffering, and anguish*" -- Derby's death
I won't even lie, the analysis for this blog was looked up online. But I wanted to reflect on how true it is. When the bird tweets that at Billy, It is almost as if this is a question. I used to wonder what the significance of this was. Yet now I realize that a bird asking Billy why humans did such things was sort of fit in with the theme of the novel. Why? Why did Derby get shot for a petty thievery amidst the destruction and death? Why was Dresden destroyed if it had no real military significance? Why a war in the first place? The bird is Vonnegut's reaction to what he saw in the days he was a prisoner of war. Why?
Slaughterhouse 5: Conceding to War?
"'It had to be done,' Rumfoord told Billy, speaking of the destruction of Dresden.
'I know," said Billy." Page 198
This is the first instance throughout the novel, aside from Billy failing to protest Vietnam bombing at a Lion's Club meeting, that Pilgrim takes a stance on what he saw. He often describes it as awful, or does not talk about it at all. Yet it is very rare that we see Billy reflect on his experiences as the aftermath of a necessary measure. He is obviously scarred from his experiences, such as remembering the "barbershop quartet" of German guards as they looked at the destruction of Dresden. Billy, despite this, is accepting the desolation as necessary to the cause of the war. His concession to war sort of had an odd characterization effect to me, showing how powerless this man felt at this point in his life, time traveling constantly and no longer caring about his death.
'I know," said Billy." Page 198
This is the first instance throughout the novel, aside from Billy failing to protest Vietnam bombing at a Lion's Club meeting, that Pilgrim takes a stance on what he saw. He often describes it as awful, or does not talk about it at all. Yet it is very rare that we see Billy reflect on his experiences as the aftermath of a necessary measure. He is obviously scarred from his experiences, such as remembering the "barbershop quartet" of German guards as they looked at the destruction of Dresden. Billy, despite this, is accepting the desolation as necessary to the cause of the war. His concession to war sort of had an odd characterization effect to me, showing how powerless this man felt at this point in his life, time traveling constantly and no longer caring about his death.
Slaughterhouse 5: The Moon
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the moon. We've all seen it, right? Well take a look behind this astronaut. What do you see? Nothing? Correct. Now try for a minute to imagine this kind of environment on Earth. After Dresden was bombed, Billy describes it looking like the moon, plus some ruins of buildings. The firestorm killed every single person and living organism that wasn't protected by some sort of shelter. Desolation beyond recognition from the firepower dropped on the city. I think that the only thing more amazing than the appearance of the place would have been that anybody was able to survive it. Billy was lucky, to say the least.
Slaughterhouse 5: Campbell the Juxtaposition
"He was Howard W. Campbell, an American who had become a Nazi." Page 162
This man is a walking juxtaposition. He approaches the American prisoners in his custom made uniform. He sports a cowboy hat, boots, a red, white, and blue swastika, and a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. As he describes his uniform to the prisoners of war, he speaks with pride of the accomplishments of the Americans. However, this idiot is fighting for the Nazis. What kind of man preaches of the wonders of America while sporting a swastika? Derby was right in calling this man a snake. yet more interesting than his lack of patriotism is the contradiction in his message, of both American pride and honor in fighting for the Nazis, and American enemy.
This man is a walking juxtaposition. He approaches the American prisoners in his custom made uniform. He sports a cowboy hat, boots, a red, white, and blue swastika, and a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. As he describes his uniform to the prisoners of war, he speaks with pride of the accomplishments of the Americans. However, this idiot is fighting for the Nazis. What kind of man preaches of the wonders of America while sporting a swastika? Derby was right in calling this man a snake. yet more interesting than his lack of patriotism is the contradiction in his message, of both American pride and honor in fighting for the Nazis, and American enemy.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Slaughterhouse 5: Foreshadowing
"He said, too, that he had been kidnapped by a flying saucer in 1967." Page 25
The foreshadowing in this story is not quite normal. In chapter two, in the first two pages, every significant event that happens to Billy throughout the story is listed in a very matter-of-fact manner. This type of foreshadowing tells the reader what the book is about exactly. However, this is an effective tool used by Vonnegut. Because the audience knows what will happen throughout the book, they anticipate and wait to see how certain events will play out. Additionally, because chronological order plays no significant role in the story, the audience has no idea when an event will occur. This direct foreshadowing is unusual though very effective in keeping the reader engaged in the story.
The foreshadowing in this story is not quite normal. In chapter two, in the first two pages, every significant event that happens to Billy throughout the story is listed in a very matter-of-fact manner. This type of foreshadowing tells the reader what the book is about exactly. However, this is an effective tool used by Vonnegut. Because the audience knows what will happen throughout the book, they anticipate and wait to see how certain events will play out. Additionally, because chronological order plays no significant role in the story, the audience has no idea when an event will occur. This direct foreshadowing is unusual though very effective in keeping the reader engaged in the story.
Slaughterhouse 5: Billy Pilgrim
"Billy is spastic in time," Page 23
Billy is a very complicated character. At first glance, he seems an innocent and naive young man caught up in a conflict much bigger than himself. However, once he begins his time travel, he sees the world in a whole new perspective. He no longer fears death or its consequences. Many times throughout the story I wondered if Billy was simply insane, and that none of this was real at all. It could possibly be a consequence of post traumatic stress syndrome, since many time travels are associated with terrible events, such as the war, or the death of his wife which caused him to go public about his experiences with the Tralfamadorians. His mental delirium could be a side effect of the terrible events in his life. He remained much too calm during his time as a prisoner of war, and perhaps hallucinations are an outlet for his fear.
Billy is a very complicated character. At first glance, he seems an innocent and naive young man caught up in a conflict much bigger than himself. However, once he begins his time travel, he sees the world in a whole new perspective. He no longer fears death or its consequences. Many times throughout the story I wondered if Billy was simply insane, and that none of this was real at all. It could possibly be a consequence of post traumatic stress syndrome, since many time travels are associated with terrible events, such as the war, or the death of his wife which caused him to go public about his experiences with the Tralfamadorians. His mental delirium could be a side effect of the terrible events in his life. He remained much too calm during his time as a prisoner of war, and perhaps hallucinations are an outlet for his fear.
Slaughterhouse 5: Sight
"Billy again enrolled in the Ilium school of Optometry." Page 24
Throughout the novel, sight is a subject hit upon again and again. Billy becomes an optometrist. This in itself is not so unusual. However, we learn that Billy experienced horrible sights during the war and his time as a p.o.w. of the Germans. Additionally, the Tralfamadorians taught him many things about sight. Because they saw in the fourth dimension, they explained to Billy that what they saw was the existence of all time. There was no today and tomorrow, since everything was visible to them. Additionally, they explained to Billy that his perspective was limited, so he began to see the world the way they did, with no perspective of time or consequence.
Throughout the novel, sight is a subject hit upon again and again. Billy becomes an optometrist. This in itself is not so unusual. However, we learn that Billy experienced horrible sights during the war and his time as a p.o.w. of the Germans. Additionally, the Tralfamadorians taught him many things about sight. Because they saw in the fourth dimension, they explained to Billy that what they saw was the existence of all time. There was no today and tomorrow, since everything was visible to them. Additionally, they explained to Billy that his perspective was limited, so he began to see the world the way they did, with no perspective of time or consequence.
Slaughterhouse 5: Kurt as Narrator
"I was there. So was my old war buddy, Bernard V. O'Hare." Page 67
Throughout the novel, we see little glimpses of the character of the author, Kurt Vonnegut. Aside from the first chapter, the quote above is a small interjection from the author as narrator of the story. This helps the reader to remember that the experiences of Billy in the war, though not exactly like Kurt's, were very similar. The issues he writes about are reality, not entirely fiction. This helps to bind him to the story and the events that happened to him during the firebombing of Dresden. After this connection that Vonnegut shares with the readers is established, he goes on with the story, until he gently reminds his audience once again that he lived these events, he felt these emotions, and he saw the destruction at Dresden.
Throughout the novel, we see little glimpses of the character of the author, Kurt Vonnegut. Aside from the first chapter, the quote above is a small interjection from the author as narrator of the story. This helps the reader to remember that the experiences of Billy in the war, though not exactly like Kurt's, were very similar. The issues he writes about are reality, not entirely fiction. This helps to bind him to the story and the events that happened to him during the firebombing of Dresden. After this connection that Vonnegut shares with the readers is established, he goes on with the story, until he gently reminds his audience once again that he lived these events, he felt these emotions, and he saw the destruction at Dresden.
Slaughterhouse 5: "So it goes."
"While Billy was recuperating in a hospital in Vermont, his wife died accidentally of carbon-monoxide poisoning. So it goes." Page 25
The repetition of this phrase throughout the novel, every time someone dies, creates a sort of nonchalant attitude towards death. This is fitting in a novel centered around the horrors and destruction of war. Billy's perspective of death as just another event that occurs in time takes the edge off of his life. The reader never feels that Billy is in any real imminent danger, being as they know he lives past the war. This displays Billy's character as one of peacefulness, which sharply juxtaposes the harsh realities and dangers of war throughout the novel. The presence of death is often noted, though rarely heeded, throughout the novel. This also helps the reader to follow the Tralfamadorian tendencies of accepting death as one part of a reality, in which life is just as present.
The repetition of this phrase throughout the novel, every time someone dies, creates a sort of nonchalant attitude towards death. This is fitting in a novel centered around the horrors and destruction of war. Billy's perspective of death as just another event that occurs in time takes the edge off of his life. The reader never feels that Billy is in any real imminent danger, being as they know he lives past the war. This displays Billy's character as one of peacefulness, which sharply juxtaposes the harsh realities and dangers of war throughout the novel. The presence of death is often noted, though rarely heeded, throughout the novel. This also helps the reader to follow the Tralfamadorian tendencies of accepting death as one part of a reality, in which life is just as present.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Frankenstein: Creature Reflection
"I am content to suffer alone" Page 165
I find myself confused as to whether the creature is good or bad. You had mentioned in class how Shelley intentionally did this. At times, I hate the creature, such as in the cemetery when Victor was mourning and it laughed in his hear. It laughed. I would have killed it right there. Yet when I think about it, I cannot help but wonder if it was conditioned to be evil. It had only witnessed, never experienced, love or compassion from anything in its miserable life. If you were hated by all, would you not turn evil? My final confusion as to whether or not I like the creature happened when, upon the death of Victor, it mourned for him. It cried because of what it had done, and had a final repentance for the deeds of its life. I found myself wanting to forgive it, even though it was the cause of Victor's death.
Also, random question. What the heck happened to Ernest? Is he still alive?
I find myself confused as to whether the creature is good or bad. You had mentioned in class how Shelley intentionally did this. At times, I hate the creature, such as in the cemetery when Victor was mourning and it laughed in his hear. It laughed. I would have killed it right there. Yet when I think about it, I cannot help but wonder if it was conditioned to be evil. It had only witnessed, never experienced, love or compassion from anything in its miserable life. If you were hated by all, would you not turn evil? My final confusion as to whether or not I like the creature happened when, upon the death of Victor, it mourned for him. It cried because of what it had done, and had a final repentance for the deeds of its life. I found myself wanting to forgive it, even though it was the cause of Victor's death.
Also, random question. What the heck happened to Ernest? Is he still alive?
Frankenstein: Foil Character
"I come back ignorant and disappointed." Page 160
Walton, although very similar to Frankenstein, acts as a foil to him in the story. Unlike Frankenstein, who was incredibly driven to reach his goal, Walton quits at the first sign of trouble from his crew. Victor was obsessed with reaching the end of his quest for knowledge. He put aside all relations, not even bothering to write back to his loved ones in his focused work to achieve his goal. Walton certainly writes to his sister often. Additionally, he shows a lack of stomach when he surrenders to the will of his crew. This leaves Walton with the image of being either not as driven in his desire for greatness, or perhaps too conservative to let the passion consume him. Either way, he certainly learns the dangers of the pursuit when he looks upon the dead body of Frankenstein.
Walton, although very similar to Frankenstein, acts as a foil to him in the story. Unlike Frankenstein, who was incredibly driven to reach his goal, Walton quits at the first sign of trouble from his crew. Victor was obsessed with reaching the end of his quest for knowledge. He put aside all relations, not even bothering to write back to his loved ones in his focused work to achieve his goal. Walton certainly writes to his sister often. Additionally, he shows a lack of stomach when he surrenders to the will of his crew. This leaves Walton with the image of being either not as driven in his desire for greatness, or perhaps too conservative to let the passion consume him. Either way, he certainly learns the dangers of the pursuit when he looks upon the dead body of Frankenstein.
Frankenstein: The Fall of Knowledge
"Thus my hopes are blasted by cowardice and indecision." Page 160
Just three days after the writing of this letter, Victor falls ill and dies. Thus, he loses his life to his battle with the spawn of knowledge. Soon after, the creature, upon seeing Victor dead, decides to kill itself. Again, its thirst for the knowledge of love and want has tainted it, rendering it an evil and moral-less murderer. This evil within the creature leads to decisions that it later cannot live with, thus acting as its own destruction. Walton's cowardly crew refuses to continue on the voyage, ending his quest for knowledge of the unknown. The theme of the beginning of the novel, which was 'beware of the pursuit of knowledge', never reverses itself. In fact, the warning is shown to be followed through with. All quests for knowledge end in heartbreak and sorrow.
Just three days after the writing of this letter, Victor falls ill and dies. Thus, he loses his life to his battle with the spawn of knowledge. Soon after, the creature, upon seeing Victor dead, decides to kill itself. Again, its thirst for the knowledge of love and want has tainted it, rendering it an evil and moral-less murderer. This evil within the creature leads to decisions that it later cannot live with, thus acting as its own destruction. Walton's cowardly crew refuses to continue on the voyage, ending his quest for knowledge of the unknown. The theme of the beginning of the novel, which was 'beware of the pursuit of knowledge', never reverses itself. In fact, the warning is shown to be followed through with. All quests for knowledge end in heartbreak and sorrow.
Frankenstein: Slave and Master
"You are my creator, but I am your master- obey!" Page 122
In his creation of the monster, Victor is its assumed master. The creature itself claims that he considered Victor his God, and itself Adam. Yet the situation changes, as the creature points out above. Victor feels himself "chained", "imprisoned" and "contained" by his promise to create another female monster. He is bound by his love for his family. However, at the end of the novel, when the creature is in the cabin with Victor's body, it weeps for its "master and creator". This confusing part of the situation, as well as the creatures intense sadness at the death of Frankenstein, creates a strenuous relationship between creature and master that is never fixed, and constantly changed throughout. The reader sees a continuous cycle of pity and compassion between these two beings, followed by hatred and vengeance, malicious intents and then back to pity and sympathy.
In his creation of the monster, Victor is its assumed master. The creature itself claims that he considered Victor his God, and itself Adam. Yet the situation changes, as the creature points out above. Victor feels himself "chained", "imprisoned" and "contained" by his promise to create another female monster. He is bound by his love for his family. However, at the end of the novel, when the creature is in the cabin with Victor's body, it weeps for its "master and creator". This confusing part of the situation, as well as the creatures intense sadness at the death of Frankenstein, creates a strenuous relationship between creature and master that is never fixed, and constantly changed throughout. The reader sees a continuous cycle of pity and compassion between these two beings, followed by hatred and vengeance, malicious intents and then back to pity and sympathy.
Frankenstein: Loneliness
"Am I not shunned and hated by all mankind?" Page 104
The creature speaks these words when he demands that victor create a woman creature for him. There is no doubt that loneliness is the only sensation the creature has gotten used to in its pathetic life. Yet it is not only he who suffers loneliness. Walton finds himself in dire want of a friend on his expedition to the arctic. Victor sees himself as miserably alone in his pursuit of the monster. This common feeling of loneliness binds the three main characters together, in a clashing, fateful series of encounters. In the end of the novel, all are again left in their loneliness. Victor dies, unsatisfied with the work he has left to do. The creature goes to kill itself, frightfully alone and not wanting to ever be discovered. Walton himself is left heartbroken not only with the loss of Victor, his good friend, but also with the failure of his expedition.
The creature speaks these words when he demands that victor create a woman creature for him. There is no doubt that loneliness is the only sensation the creature has gotten used to in its pathetic life. Yet it is not only he who suffers loneliness. Walton finds himself in dire want of a friend on his expedition to the arctic. Victor sees himself as miserably alone in his pursuit of the monster. This common feeling of loneliness binds the three main characters together, in a clashing, fateful series of encounters. In the end of the novel, all are again left in their loneliness. Victor dies, unsatisfied with the work he has left to do. The creature goes to kill itself, frightfully alone and not wanting to ever be discovered. Walton himself is left heartbroken not only with the loss of Victor, his good friend, but also with the failure of his expedition.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Frankenstein: Predictions
"but if you refuse, I will glut the maw of death, until it be satiated with blood of your remaining friends." Page 68
Based on the Creature's terrible terrible threat, I am going to predict that Victor does not do as the monster says. It seems as though this tale of his has a purpose to it beyond letting Frankenstein know where he has been. And I also predict that because Victor will not comply with the monster's requests, he will see his family die one by one at the monster's hand. Once this happens, I think Victor will snap, develop an intense, raging hatred towards the ugly being he created and will do all he can to destroy it. They will get into a chase, which will lead them to the arctic, where Walton will come in, and then the story is over. Or I could be completely wrong.
Based on the Creature's terrible terrible threat, I am going to predict that Victor does not do as the monster says. It seems as though this tale of his has a purpose to it beyond letting Frankenstein know where he has been. And I also predict that because Victor will not comply with the monster's requests, he will see his family die one by one at the monster's hand. Once this happens, I think Victor will snap, develop an intense, raging hatred towards the ugly being he created and will do all he can to destroy it. They will get into a chase, which will lead them to the arctic, where Walton will come in, and then the story is over. Or I could be completely wrong.
Frankenstein: Death
"...the first hapless victims to my unhallowed arts." Page 60
Death is another common theme throughout the story. Beginning with Caroline's untimely death, we start on a spree of death in Victor's family. It has led to his family's slow demise, dropping them off one by one. On top of that, the grief experienced by his father and Elizabeth is pulling them down into a continuous state of melancholy and depression. Their very characters and countenances are being transformed by the death and misfortune afflicting the Frankenstein family. To make matters worse, Victor's sense of guilt over Justine and William's dying has made him a useless member of the family as well. Despite his father's attempts to drag him out of his sad state, Victor cannot help anyone. He leaves yet again, even when Elizabeth and his father need him the most.
Death is another common theme throughout the story. Beginning with Caroline's untimely death, we start on a spree of death in Victor's family. It has led to his family's slow demise, dropping them off one by one. On top of that, the grief experienced by his father and Elizabeth is pulling them down into a continuous state of melancholy and depression. Their very characters and countenances are being transformed by the death and misfortune afflicting the Frankenstein family. To make matters worse, Victor's sense of guilt over Justine and William's dying has made him a useless member of the family as well. Despite his father's attempts to drag him out of his sad state, Victor cannot help anyone. He leaves yet again, even when Elizabeth and his father need him the most.
Frankenstein: Nature
"and I ceased to fear, or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements." Page 64
The above quote is by Frankenstein, on his journey into the Chamounix Valley. Throughout the novel, we have thus far seen nature as a key role in the mood of the central characters. Victor is extremely influenced by nature, most likely because of his interest in natural philosophy. When he is extremely depressed at the deaths of Justine and William, a trip up into the mountains lifts his fears and apprehensions. Even the creature itself is influenced by the elements. When the "lonely, dreary" winter is over and spring approaches, its mood is made much better. Nature in this novel acts as a healing entity to the characters, yet also is a reflection of mood, such as the dreary winters in which Frankenstein and the creature are depressed in.
The above quote is by Frankenstein, on his journey into the Chamounix Valley. Throughout the novel, we have thus far seen nature as a key role in the mood of the central characters. Victor is extremely influenced by nature, most likely because of his interest in natural philosophy. When he is extremely depressed at the deaths of Justine and William, a trip up into the mountains lifts his fears and apprehensions. Even the creature itself is influenced by the elements. When the "lonely, dreary" winter is over and spring approaches, its mood is made much better. Nature in this novel acts as a healing entity to the characters, yet also is a reflection of mood, such as the dreary winters in which Frankenstein and the creature are depressed in.
Frankenstein: The Creature
"I perceived, as the shape came nearer (sight tremendous and abhorred!) that it was the wretch whom I had created." Page 68
Knowing by now that this is not the stereotypical monster we see at Halloween, I am nonetheless impressed with the magnificence of the creature. For one, his physical appearance seems both awe inspiring and terrible at the same time. To imagine a gargantuan, man-like figure approaching at inhuman speeds is frightening as well as exciting. The physical ability of the creature, to be stronger than any man and with better coordination and ability, seems to create a certain fear about it. Yet its intellectual capacity is the real shocker in the story. This creature is eloquent and well-spoken to Victor. In fact, it seems more eloquent after two years than Victor himself. It is extremely intelligent. Yet despite its' intelligence, it reacts to events in animal-like ways, making it a dangerous and difficult foe to compete with.
Knowing by now that this is not the stereotypical monster we see at Halloween, I am nonetheless impressed with the magnificence of the creature. For one, his physical appearance seems both awe inspiring and terrible at the same time. To imagine a gargantuan, man-like figure approaching at inhuman speeds is frightening as well as exciting. The physical ability of the creature, to be stronger than any man and with better coordination and ability, seems to create a certain fear about it. Yet its intellectual capacity is the real shocker in the story. This creature is eloquent and well-spoken to Victor. In fact, it seems more eloquent after two years than Victor himself. It is extremely intelligent. Yet despite its' intelligence, it reacts to events in animal-like ways, making it a dangerous and difficult foe to compete with.
Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein
"He is generally melancholy and despairing." Page 10
Victor Frankenstein is the farthest thing from mad scientist one could get. In fact, as the audience we are shown about his childhood. His Gothic and macabre obsession with the undead actually stems from his deep fascination with the beauty of nature and wonder of how the natural world functions. His character is complex to say the least, however. His fascination turns into an unhealthy obsession that consumes his entire life. How ironic it is that his greatest success was also his greatest downfall. We see his mental and emotional ups and downs throughout the story, and watch his physical health deteriorate and then build itself back up again. The genius within this man leads to an animalistic, instinctual hunting of the creature.
Victor Frankenstein is the farthest thing from mad scientist one could get. In fact, as the audience we are shown about his childhood. His Gothic and macabre obsession with the undead actually stems from his deep fascination with the beauty of nature and wonder of how the natural world functions. His character is complex to say the least, however. His fascination turns into an unhealthy obsession that consumes his entire life. How ironic it is that his greatest success was also his greatest downfall. We see his mental and emotional ups and downs throughout the story, and watch his physical health deteriorate and then build itself back up again. The genius within this man leads to an animalistic, instinctual hunting of the creature.
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