Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Oh and by the way...
I really am reading To Kill a Mockingbird now. And at the rate I'm going, I should be done by next week!
Slaughterhouse 5...Finally!!!! - Kurt Vonnegut
I have found one word that can ALMOST describe my thoughts on this book...Vertigo. As per Merriam-Webster Online, the definition of VERTIGO is...a) a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily, b) a dizzy confused state of mind. Not only does Billy Pilgrim find himself constantly swirling through his thoughts, through time but also through life. Even when he is in one particular time, his mind is almost always elsewhere.
I have to admit, I think Vonnegut may have been experiencing vertigo when he wrote Slaughterhouse Five. And I say that with all the respect in the world! This book is amazing but I found myself reading two or three pages, then having to re-read them... Where is Billy? Or when is Billy? Is he on Tralfmadore? In Illium? Dresden? 1956? 1941?
Even with all the confusion experienced, I still found myself wanting to be with Billy. No matter where, or when, he was. His mind was almost spiraling out of control...but he always managed to keep the audience (whether it was the Tralfmadorians or the readers) intrigued and looking to him for new insight. What I couldn't understand is how Billy Pilgrim didn't end up literally, crazy?! I mean, one could say, yes, he's crazy alright! But wasn't what he was doing (time-traveling/escaping from reality) what we all want to do at one point or another? I wish, I soooo wish, that I could go back to high school sometimes and bitch-slap a couple people! Or go to the year 2021 and see if I really do write that book the psychic told me I would. Or maybe to the 1960's to see what all the fuss was about LSD.
My point being is that although Billy's mind was somewhat ignoring the reality of World War II, he made no apologies for it. In fact, he loved it! He even knew when, where and how he'd be killed. Which, btw, is after he's given a speech on flying saucers in front of a huge audience!
I just wish, that we, as Americans, and as humans in general, that we could be a little more like Billy freakin' Pilgrim!! Call him crazy, delusional and eccentric...but at least he's willing to let his mind wander and enjoy the time, whenever it is!
I have to admit, I think Vonnegut may have been experiencing vertigo when he wrote Slaughterhouse Five. And I say that with all the respect in the world! This book is amazing but I found myself reading two or three pages, then having to re-read them... Where is Billy? Or when is Billy? Is he on Tralfmadore? In Illium? Dresden? 1956? 1941?
Even with all the confusion experienced, I still found myself wanting to be with Billy. No matter where, or when, he was. His mind was almost spiraling out of control...but he always managed to keep the audience (whether it was the Tralfmadorians or the readers) intrigued and looking to him for new insight. What I couldn't understand is how Billy Pilgrim didn't end up literally, crazy?! I mean, one could say, yes, he's crazy alright! But wasn't what he was doing (time-traveling/escaping from reality) what we all want to do at one point or another? I wish, I soooo wish, that I could go back to high school sometimes and bitch-slap a couple people! Or go to the year 2021 and see if I really do write that book the psychic told me I would. Or maybe to the 1960's to see what all the fuss was about LSD.
My point being is that although Billy's mind was somewhat ignoring the reality of World War II, he made no apologies for it. In fact, he loved it! He even knew when, where and how he'd be killed. Which, btw, is after he's given a speech on flying saucers in front of a huge audience!
I just wish, that we, as Americans, and as humans in general, that we could be a little more like Billy freakin' Pilgrim!! Call him crazy, delusional and eccentric...but at least he's willing to let his mind wander and enjoy the time, whenever it is!
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