Your Guide to
Slaughterhouse-Five
or The Children’s Crusade, a Duty-Dance with Death
By Kurt Vonnegut
This Packet Includes:
Novel Style
Themes/Major Learnings
Character List
Participation Breakdown
Journal Topics & Questions
Name/Period: _________________________________________________________________
SH5 ACC 2014– Page 1
Style of the Novel:
-Postmodernist Novel (WWII – Present): Postmodernism is a term applied to literature, art,
philosophy, architecture, etc. It stems from a recognition that reality is not simply mirrored in
human understanding of it, but rather, is constructed as the mind tries to understand its own
particular and personal reality.
-The novel is told from the first-person perspective in the first chapter, the third-person
perspective in the middle chapters (with occasional and brief first-person interruptions), returning
to mostly first-person in the last chapter.
-The short sentences, and truncated dialogue help create the jumpy feel of the book, break up the
flow, and create the spastic, schizophrenic effect.
-The novel uses clumps of images or scenes as its main structure. The scenes can range from a few
paragraphs to a few pages. The images at first appear random, but they aren’t. Most scenes have
subtle associations with other scenes. Themes begin to develop through these associations, but the
themes are not necessarily clear cut; Vonnegut wants readers to co-author the book.
-The book is a satire. It ridicules much of modern society. The author also satirizes himself.
Generally, the novel is an example of indirect satire, where readers must draw their own
conclusions from the actions of the characters.
-The novel has many elements of science fiction — clipped sentences and dialogue; motifs of time
travel, aliens and space ships, etc.
-The novel uses cinematic techniques such as hard cuts and artful montage to help create
associations between scenes.
-Character development is minimal, with the exception perhaps of Billy.
Themes/Major Learnings:
-Morality and ethics (People respond to crisis situations in a variety of ways that reveal much
about human psychology and experience.)
-Fate and free will (Nobody can escape the consequences of his/her choices.)
-Warfare (War requires dehumanization; it is also glorified at times.)
-Past, Present, & Future (Our past shapes our present and our future...maybe)
-The Relativity (subjectivity) of Truth (Truth can be defined differently based on POV, so what is
truth?)
-Innocence (A desire to return to innocence is inherent in humans.)
SH5 ACC 2014– Page 2
Character List
You are responsible for knowing all characters and understanding their relationships! Take
notes here on their developing roles and relationship to both the narrator and the
protagonist.
Billy Pilgrim
Barbara Pilgrim
Tralfamadorians
Robert Pilgrim
Kurt Vonnegut
Howard Campbell Jr.
Roland Weary
Bertram Copeland Rumfoord
Paul Lazzaro
Bernard V. O’Hare
Edgar Derby
Mary O’Hare
Valencia
Kilgore Trout
Eliot Rosewater
Montana Wildhack
SH5 ACC 2014– Page 3
Book Analysis and Discussion
Double Entry Journal Format and Example For our reading of Slaughterhouse-Five, you will
be asked to utilize a double-entry journal to record your observations and analysis on specific
topics. You should be familiar with this type of note taking, but if not, a template is below. In
addition to the double-entry journal, you may also be asked to answer specific questions. All
elements of analysis will be used to facilitate class discussion. Each person will be expected to
participate in book discussions at least once per class. The breakdown for discussion contributions
and points earned is below.
*As you respond to the topics provided in your journal, make sure that you are note just analyzing
the superficial elements. See example below.
Quote & Page #
Opening line
“All this happened, more or less.”
Analysis
Powerful opening line—causes the reader to
question what things didn’t happen and why they
are included. Sets up tone for entire novel, because
it is cryptic and requires attention and thought, like
the book. Touches on the relativity of truth—what
is true? What isn’t?
Discussion Rubric
A+ = 5+ meaningful contributions to class discussion
A = 4 meaningful contributions to class discussion
B = 3 meaningful contributions to class discussion
C = 2 meaningful contributions to class discussion
D = 1 meaningful contribution to class discussion
E = 0 meaningful contributions to class discussion
*Please note, if you contribute regularly with content that is not meaningful/does not enhance discussion, you
will still receive an E.
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 4
Title Page
1. How does the title page (the second printed page of the book) of Slaughterhouse-Five differ from
that of most other title pages you have seen? Why do you think Vonnegut chose to do this?
What’s the tone of the title page? How does it impact reader’s impression of the work?
Chapter 1: p. 1-22*
For Chapter 1, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Opening line (See example of double entry journal)
Impact of first-person POV
Book Subtitle (The Children’s Crusade, a Duty-Dance with Death)
Warfare (impact, manner in which it is referenced)
Stylistic writing choices (italics, repetition)
Purpose of the limerick
How many times the phrase “so it goes” is used
One element of your choosing
Chapter 2: p. 23-38 Part 1 (Stop After “So it goes.”)
For Chapter 2 Part 1, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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The phrase “so it goes” (when it’s used and why, how many times used, where it came from)
Writing style (devices used, effect)
Relativity of Truth
Tralfamadorians
Fate & free will
Warfare
One element of your choosing
Additionally, please complete the following:
1. Draw a picture of a Tralfamadorian below (based on the description in the book).
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 5
Chapter 2: p. 38-51 Part 2
For Chapter 2 Part 2, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Billy Pilgrim’s name (significance)
Picture on page 41
Warfare
Roland Weary (what he represents, who he is)
Warfare
“So it goes” (number of times used)
One critical/specific/smart element of your choosing
Chapter 3: p. 52-71
For Chapter 3, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Symbolism (discover your own thoughtful symbol)
Innocence
War reality/glorification
Serenity prayer (purpose)
Dehumanization (symbolic and literal)
Number of times “so it goes” is used
One critical/specific/smart element of your choosing
Chapter 4: p. 72-86
For Chapter 4, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Tralfamadorian philosophies
Edgar Derby (who he is, what he represents)
Dehumanization
Movie in reverse (purpose?)
Billy’s coat
Humanity (fate & free will, morality & ethics, etc.)
Number of times “so it goes” used
One critical/specific/smart element of your choosing
Chapter 5: p. 87-111 Part 1 (Stop after “Yes, it is” said Billy Pilgrim)
*The following characters are new in this chapter: Eliot Rosewater, Kilgore Trout, Valencia Merble,
Mr. and Mrs. Lance Rumfoord, Howard W. Campbell, Jr., Professor Bertram Copeland Rumfoord.
For Chapter 5 Part 1, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Instances of dark humor (humor viewed as dark, morbid, cruel but is still somehow funny)
Broken kite comparison
Tralfamadorian philosophy (past, present, future)
Billy’s coat
Glass of water by the bed (metaphor)
WACS, WAVES, SPARS, WAFS (look them up)
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 6
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Kilgore Trout and what the Gospel teaches (morality & ethics)
Instances of repetition (words, phrases, concepts, etc) and purpose
Number of times “so it goes” used
Chapter 5: p. 111-135-136 Part 2*
For Chapter 5 Part 2, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Epitaph (what is it? What’s the purpose/impact?)
Page 112, main paragraph (what is the tone/mood, how is it accomplished? What
devices/diction contributes to the creation of tone)
Seven sexes (comment on the relativity of truth)
What epitaph does Billy think of on his wedding night? How could this be significant?
Human time vs. Tralfamadorian time
How universe ends
The passage by Howard W. Campbell (128-131, italics)
Number of times “so it goes” used
Additionally, please answer the following:
1. Where does Vonnegut insert his own voice (in real life)? Why might he choose to insert
himself in the first person?
2. How does the way Barbara treats Billy resemble the passage by Campbell? Incorporate
parts of the passage.
Chapter 6: p. 136-153
For Chapter 6, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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“Billy Pilgrim says he went to Dresden…” (why does Vonnegut word it this way?)
“If he [Lazzaro] had been a dog in a city, a policeman would have shot him and sent his head
to a laboratory, to see if he had rabies” (143-44).
Last full paragraph, page 137 (“He found two small sources… He was glad.”)—Purpose?
Message? Tie back to pillar of salt allusion?
“Farewell, hello, farewell, hello.” page 142 (in your response, incorporate ideas surrounding
past, present, future)
Billy Pilgrim as Cinderella (why?)
Dresden
Paul Lazzaro (who he is, what he represents)
Title of book (origin, significance)
Criticism/commentary on America (relativity of truth)
Number of times “so it goes” used
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 7
Chapter 7: p. 154-161
For Chapter 7, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Plane crash
Humans as machines vs. Humans as we understand ourselves (fate & free will, relativity of
truth)
The true things were time travel” (p. 157)
“’All the real soldiers are dead’” (p. 159)
Syrup and spoons
Number of times “so it goes” used
Additionally, please answer the following:
1. What is the significance of Billy’s constant apathy? How is his apathy related to the
organization of the novel? How is it integral to the structure?
Chapter 8: p. 162-181
For Chapter 8, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Howard W. Campbell and his message
Kilgore Trout (why is he significant to the overall message of the novel?)
The song and why it upsets Billy
Dehumanization
Dresden after bombing
Morality and ethics
Number of times “so it goes” used
One element of your choosing
Chapter 9 Part 1: p. 182-197 (Stop after the quatrain)
For Chapter 9 Part 1, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Relativity of truth (Dresden bombing, happiness)
Dehumanization
Bertram Copeland Rumfoord
Crying for horses
Epigraph and Billy as Christ figure
Chapter 9 Part 2: p. 197-209
For Chapter 9 Part 2, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Lucretia A. Mott (boat named after a suffragette—why?)
“Everything is all right, and everybody has to do exactly what he does.” (p. 198)
“Jerky little scissors” (p. 199)
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 8
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The Big Board (Kilgore Trout novel about humans in a zoo)
Montana’s locket—Where else have you seen it?
Fate and free will
Relativity of truth
Repetitions/overlaps
Number of times “so it goes” used
Chapter 10: p. 210-215
For Chapter 10, use your double-entry journal to analyze ALL of the following:
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Charles Darwin and the Tralfamadorians
Relativity of truth (“…the door was unlocked. World War Two in Europe was over.” p. 215)
The color green
“Poo-tee-weet”
Number of times “so it goes” used—what is the purpose of this repetitive statement?
Additionally, please answer the following:
1. Interpret the ending. Make an argument about the tone that the book ends on and the
impact of the last line.
2. List one specific stylistic choice Vonnegut made in writing this book, and explain how it
contributes to the novel’s purpose.
SH5 ACC 2013/14 – Page 9