Throughout this entire book, we find symbols or connections to when or maybe why Billy Pilgrim time travels. We find a lot of symbols like the candle light, water and even people help him move from time to time. He connects the feelings of people he loved or places he has been before.

In Slaughterhouse-five, Kurt Vonnegut is writing about his life. He uses his book to express his feelings and ideas of past. While reading this book, I find it odd how Billy time travels to the past but relates all to the future. Throughout the book, the people and places he introduced all connect back to a “memory”. For example, his daughter is a big character in the story. She comes into the story a few times. In the beginning of the story we see that she is taking care of her father. Later in the book, in chapter 3, Billy tells us of the night before her wedding, the alien Tralfmdorians plan to come take him away. Why do you think Billy pilgrim thinks they take him away the night of Barbra’s wedding?

Another symbols, Kurt Vonnegut adds to the book is the bird. Throughout the book the only big event the bird comes in is at the end of the book. Kurt Vonnegut adds the end in the first chapter to make the reader think. What does a bird cheapening have to do with the story? Every metaphor, connection and symbol in this book is presented the same throughout the book.

While Billy Pilgrim is traveling through time, he connections points through times in my own life. Why do you think Billy makes connections to hard times like war or at home? When Billy time travels he usually goes to his “happy place." Just like if a little kid is getting a shot from a needle, they think of something happy and look the other way.

As I'm reading this book, it reminds me of a big allusion. What is real and what is all in Billy’s heads?  Billy is time jumping through the past, present and future and shares important moments that happened to him throughout his life. Piece by piece we pick up and connect the pieces like a puzzle. He is sharing his life in different parts of his life. He connects each story to a different event in his life. It’s as if he is telling us

 What is the significance of these metaphors? Why didn’t Kurt Vonnegut write the book in order of Billy’s life?

Does Billy pilgrim really time travel? In Kurt Vonnegut's book, Slaughter-House Five, Billy pilgrim is 'looking bad" at war. time travel is nothing but an allusion to Billy. He believes all this is really happening. When Billy hits his head for the second time, he came up with the idea that he is traveling through time. also that the alien Tralfamadorians have kidnapped him and have him captured in their space ship.

Time travel to Billy is just his happy place when he gets scared or remembers a scary time in his life. On page 44 Billy is underwater and hears beautiful music play. Loosing conciseness he lets the music play and he "time jumps" to 1965. In 1965, to visit his mother in nursing home. Visiting his moms takes his mind off what's really going on. From there he moves place to place "in time". When he time travels to another place no one really knows what is real life or all in Bill's head. The "aliens" or in real life the Germans use his fear to keep him trapped "in time". 

The effect "time travel" puts on Billy pilgrim is extreme. He believes these events are really happening. That he is "looking bad" to a past event. The time travel makes his memory's to war or time with his family seem real. The alien Tralfamadorians are in this case his friends. They "kidnap" him and show him different times in his life. The Tralfamadorians replace the fear with a memory or false event he goes to. Slaughter-house five, emphasizes throughout the book how Billy Time Travels every time a bad situation or event happens.

Throughout the book, we can connect pieces together to figure out what happened throughout Billy's life. Billy travels to different times in his life from birth to death. What do you think this statement, "Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time." means to you? Does Billy ever become stuck in time?  

First Chapter: Slaughter-house five


What was Kurt Vonnegut's purpose of adding the first chapter? Many seem to ask after reading it and realizing it isn't even the start to the story. The first chapter is Kurt Vonnegut introducing the theme and why he wrote the book. Kurt had trouble remember events from the war and a few friends help him write the book.

Why do you think Kurt wrote the first chapter? Slaughter-house five by Kurt Vonnegut has a confusing concept to grasp. The information is twisted and everything is out of order in the book. In the book Kurt writes the first chapter to explain the story a little more. He explains it to give us an idea what the story will be about. But what else made Kurt Vonnegut write the first chapter?
In the novel, the first chapter is used to give people an understanding of the story. It tells us how he came up with the idea for the book. It helps provide information and theme before the book even starts. It gives us information who Billy pilgrim is and how it all connects. it makes us understand how hard it was for Kurt to write the book and "looking back" on war. Characters and events in the book are introduced to know where they came from.

Also if you didn't notice Kurt writes, "This one is a failure, and had to be since it was written by a pillar of salt." What does he mean by this? In the beginning of the chapter he talks about asking his friends to help him write this book. He can't remember what happened during the war because of a plane crash incident. He writes this because he believes this book is a failure since he looked back on war.

If the first chapter was to introduce our story, why did Kurt Vonnegut reveal the ending at the end of the chapter? The ending makes the reader think about the ending. It draws the reader in to make them wonder what events are in between. Vonnegut writes this first chapter to make us think deeply on what he means. Adding the ending to the mix is the start to a story. This whole book is a metaphor to something else and his theme is how he would to 'look back' on war or "the past". poo-tee-weet?

For my final post, I want to talk about Winston and Julia getting caught by the government. I find it so interesting how the government can make them do things the way they did. After they got caught they were broken and beaten until they believed twisted lies. O’Brien and the government made them believe in only the thoughts the Party's and government wanted. On page 234, it states, “No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend... there will be no loyalty except, for loyalty for the party. There will no love, except the love for Big Brother.” They only want the people to love and have trust in Big Brother, not a family member or friend.  The people of Oceania should love and praise Big Brother as their “savoir” like on page 7.

It is not very common for Oceania to see people come back from being caught by the government but Winston and Julia both returned as every single other citizen. Winston’s identity and appearance is broken, and people can see it. Julia’s physical appearance at the very end of the book mentions how and broken she looks as well. The party completely destroys Winston and Julia, to not even be there self at all. They are both just like puppet on strings. In my last blog I talked about propaganda and “Big Brother”. They tortured them with propaganda to break them and replace it with happiness and faith in the Party’s. By the end of the book, Julia and Winston are released and act if nothing has happened, because that is what they believe. Winston and Julia do not even know they had feelings for each other. The last sentence in the book quotes, “he loved Big Brother.”

What are some things or events in the book you thought were really out of the ordinary, like for me was the relationship between Julia sand Winston. Winston talks about how much he hates Julia because he loves her. Then on page 107, Julia slips Winston a note saying “I love you”. I found this kind of strange. Did you find this strange too? What is your impression on Orwell’s novel, 1984? Did you like the book, if so why?

What does Big Brother have to do with total government? In George Orwell's book, 1984, Big Brother is known as a god like symbol to the people of Oceania. Big Brother keeps people in control and in favor of the government. Everyone is expected to be respectable to him and follow what he (the government) wants. In Oceania, everyone seems to be afraid of big brother. “Big Brother is watching you” is posted almost anywhere you look. His face is on a big poster board over the city to make people fear them or in our case the government. Big brother is used as a frightening technique to totalitarian government to possess absolute power. If you are caught betraying him, you aren't to be found again. No one knows or really cares to what actually happens, but you are no longer seen again. They use this fear as another skill to control its subjects, and to extent of the power and control of government.

The first few chapters have a big part telling about the telescreens in their homes. The telescreens are another way that the government or in the story, ‘Big Brother’ is watching them. In 1984 they are known as an instrument, which is always on some kind of propaganda. Any hint of obedience or dislike can be detected by many such as the Thought Police, telescreen, or even your children who will not hesitate to betray you to the authorities.

There is no real truth in Oceania. The effect of Big Brother and propaganda takes a citizens opinion to believe they want something different. They twist the truth to make them seem higher in power. He parties and Big brother manipulate them to break them down and then replace the hatred by fear and faith for the Party, Big Brother, and the government. 1984, emphasizes throughout the book how government puts in citizens minds that there is no such thing as bad; only ungood. Governmental use of manipulation and physical control is used to maintaining its power.

In today's society, it is not this harsh. Although, the government today is not as brutal as in 1984; it is still somewhat real in today’s society. We have the cameras and technology to “spy” or “watch” others. We also have phones that can tracks where we are. In the presidential debate, Donald trump states, “We need toughness”. This proves the kind of society we are coming to next. It is terrifying knowing that someone could control us, like in 1984.

Do you think our society will become like in '1984'? What kind of events are similar to the society and government in ‘1984’, today?

Throughout the first half of 1984 by George Orwell and it is confusing concept to grasp. The information is twisted and contradicts itself throughout the book. In Orwell's novel, 1984, throughout the beginning of the book he talks about the Three Slogan's of the party. But what exactly do these three slogan's mean? What do they mean to Winston?

War is Peace

Freedom is Slavery

Ignorance is Strength

If you didn't notice all three slogan's contradict themselves. War means to fight but peace means to have no harm. It makes the mind believe that these things are true. Winston can see how controlling the government or "Big Brother" is. They try to confused people in to believing these slogans. Sadly, it is working for many. Unlike Winston who writes repeatedly, "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER, DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER" does not want to be watched all the time. Big Brother as their major propaganda, and makes them think twisted information. The party has the slogan's to make everyone believe in them. They repeat it over and over to tattoo the slogan's in their minds. Why do you think that is? Also why do you think the story has a lot of propaganda? Propaganda can easily persuade people with your emotions and is used as a brainwash. The people are persuaded to think that the party is actually there to help them. Like on page .., after people riot, Big Brother comes on the screen and a lady is filled with joy to see Big Brother. All Big Brothers, the party and Goldstein do is manipulate them.

In the novel, propaganda is used to keep the people under controlled, to think and act any way they want them to. Characters in the book and even in our society today are influenced with the double speak and propaganda. Even today no one knows the real truth. The Three Slogan’s “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.” and Big Poster boards with “Big Brother is Watching You” are used as Propaganda as a way for the Party’s way to have control.

In the picture below, you can read the Three Slogan's. You can also see the three picture that go next to it. What do these picture mean to you and what do they show? Also how do you think in the book they represent the people in that society? In today’s society do we still have propaganda? If so, What are some ways we are persuaded?

This is my third blog for my book, "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". I ended my last blog off with John going off to the hospital. Gabe goes through a tough week without John. He comes by everyday and sits in the hospital for hours blaming himself. "I shouldn't have let him give me a show. I should have stayed Liz. I should have mowed his lawn more often and brought him more birthday gifts. I should have told him what he means to me(Cronn-Mills 243)." Gabe can't do what he loves without John.Week after the accident, on Thursday afternoon, nurse tells Gabe and Paige they have stopped the sedative and if he is going to wake he will do it in the next week. John may not make it if he does not wake up this week.

Paige reminds Gabe the 'Vibe' is tonight in Brooklyn, New York. Debating whether to go or no, he knows John would want him to go. Paige stays with John while Gabe goes to perform. Gabe gets on stage in from of millions of people at 11:30pm and feels no motivation for his music. Lost and effortless he plays his music and gets off stage. Friday morning, Gabe checks UCB's webpage for 'Beautiful Music for Ugly Children'. Many great posts were made out to John to get better and Gabe decided to do a Beatles show for his viewers in honor of John. "He...stay"(Cronn-mills 251). John wakes up and Gabe is thrilled. He apologizes for everything and how he sucked on the 'Vibe'.

The night of John waking up Gabe gives a strong Beatle themed talk show for John and his viewers. Ending his show with, "Thank you, Ugly Children Brigade, for accepting me. I can never tell you how much that means to me."

The end of this book, Gabe decides he is going to go off to community college while Paige is off to college in the city. Community college will take anyone, so Gabe has a full semester to become legally Gabe. John knowing Gabe did not win the 'Vibe' because of his injury he brought his Tupelo guitar to New York for auction and gained twenty-five thousand. The money meant so much to him, Gabe thanked John then started to talk about his next show. Even though Gabe did not win the 'Vibe' or the money in the end it all worked out for Gabe. He has his family, Paige, his show and most importantly his music producer and idol, John.

I found this book to very inspiring to be outgoing and work hard for what you dream for. This story shows readers a great quote and lesson to keep the people you truly care about close to you. John and Paige showed a great motivation for Gabe to be his true self, no matter what Paul and Kyle did, Gabe was not giving up his name. The guitar was a great symbol in this book as well. the guitar showed how much Jonny really meant to Gabe and showed the hard work Gabe put into building a career with a difficult challenge. Gabe got to be who he truly is and was able to show the world.