We've already learned from Mr. Kunkle, as well as the first chapter of Slaughter House-Five, that Kurt Vonnegut initially had trouble finding the framework in which to contstruct his Dresden story. This is understandable, as Vonnegut more or less stated he sounded like a broken record everytime he tried to lay out the schematics for a novel about his experiences in World War II.
Now, making headway into the book, it has become obvious that our "hero", Billy Pilgrim, is the apparatus in which Vonnegut chose to use in order to tell this story. But why Billy Pilgrim? Perhaps his ability to become "unstuck" in time makes it easier for Vonnegut to potray the life of a veteran inside and out. Maybe Vonnegut chose to use this character because he couldn't use himself to potray the long term effects war had on him. After all, Vonnegut was far from dead when he wrote this novel. Or maybe Vonnegut didn't want to write another depressing, realistic veteran story, but something a little more innovative.
I feel there are many other reasons Vonnegut used Billy Pilgrim to tell this story, but I can't find them unless I finish the book. I will continue to explore this in Part 2, after we finish the novel.
Ending of Caucasia
15 years ago
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2 comments:
Very good insights. I think there's a good reason Vonnegut decided not to use himself in the story, and instead choose someone more vulnerable and weak than himself. Interesting and thought provoking. Hopefully we'll know more when we finish the novel.
First off, diggin the Fallout pic and general theme of the whole blog. Also the ideas and opinions expressed in the previous blog open the minds of whoever reads it.
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