Hello all,
Based on our discussion of Vonnegut's novel as well as the topics, themes, and issues (free will, control over our decisions, fatalism) Slaughterhouse-Five brings up, I want you to post (as a comment) a question you may have or wanted to ask. The question must relate to one of the topics, themes and issues or a specific scene or character from the novel.
An example of the type of questions I am looking to see from you guys is as follows:
How does Vonnegut convey his view of free will through character development/characterization? Select one character from Slaughterhouse-Five to analyze and discuss how that character is an example that free will exists or does not exist.
The best 5 questions will be selected for Monday's quiz. From those five you'll have to answer 3.
All students must post their questions by noon on Sunday (3/6/11). No excuses.
What is Vonnegut trying to tell the reader, by including the Tralfamadore's idea that free will does not exist? How does this affect the bombing of Dresden?
ReplyDelete(this was answered in class today)
-Kevin A
How does Vonnegut incorporate the idea of free will through Billy's time traveling?
ReplyDeleteWould Roland Weary be a counterexample of free will? Give an example of his actions that would lead to that assumption.
ReplyDeleteKevin C.
Using the idea of Free Will, do you think it exists in the story. Use an example from the story to show whether or not you feel it exists.
ReplyDeleteHow does Billy's reactions towards death have a connection with free will?
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ReplyDeleteDo you believe free will is present throughout the story? Why or why not? If so, why do you think Billy chooses to listen to the Tralfamadores?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Kurt Vonnegut say that he will rename the book "The Children's Crusade" in Chapter One?
ReplyDeleteWhat was Vonnegut's purpose of writing this book? What was he trying to achieve and what literary approach did he take to achieve it ?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Kurt Vonnegut feel the need to place himself in the book as Kilgore Trout? Also, why does he mention that was him in the toilet scene? Is it for a simple humorous effect? Or is there a much deeper, underlying meaning?
ReplyDeleteDoes Slaughterhouse-Five support the idea of free will or fatalism? Use text from the novel to back up your answer.
ReplyDelete- Nick Theodorou
Thanks people. Any postings after this comment will only receive partial credit.
ReplyDeleteHow does Billy cope with death? Why does he cope with it this way?
ReplyDeleteand i apologize for not noticing the noon deadline
that was my fault
How does Billy time traveling to Tralfamador affect his views on death? Is his view of death there the same as on earth?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Kurt Vonnegut made Billy time travel and why is it important?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the role of Kilgore Trout in Slaughterhouse Five? Why does he have such a great influence on Billy Pilgrim?
ReplyDeleteOn Billy's 18th anniversary, Billy recalls the bombing of Dresden without having to time travel. Why didn't Billy end up time traveling to that specific memory like every other experience he had in the war, and is Billy's time traveling actually just him recalling memories in great detail?
ReplyDeleteDid Billy Pilgrim ever have control over his future based on his time travelling? How does this relate back to the Tralfamadorian idea that time simply is?
ReplyDeleteBtw sorry im late. >.>
Vonnegut told the readers that he wanted to write an anti war book and he write the story Slaughterhouse 5 with the idea that there is no free will. Did he imply that no matter what anyone does in this world that there will always be war and no one can truly stop it, or is he trying to convey that he has seen plenty of things that he has regretted seeing/doing and he feels that he was unable to control those events just as Billy is unable to control the things that happen to him?
ReplyDeleteExplain what the Tralfamadorian's theoryvof free will is. Why would Billy so easily accept this as his own idea?
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