Slaughterhouse-Five

Chapter 3 Study guide

-At the very beginning of Ch. 3, there are descriptions of a German Shepherd, a 15 year old boy, and Adam and Eve. What common link do all 3 of these things share? What could Vonnegut’s point be?

-No matter what time Billy is in, what keeps going on around him? What do you make of the description of daily events in the 1960’s compared to the description of events during the war, and of death? Does Billy’s demeanor ever really seem to change? Does he have emotions?

-What is the point of the former hobo that Billy meets on the prison train? What does his message about their present circumstances have to do with life?

-Pay specific attention to the way things are described. Why does Vonnegut exclude any emotion or feeling, no matter what he is describing? How is Billy’s life, and Vonnegut’s view on war and life, reflected in his writing style? How are these things illustrated by the prayer on the wall of Billy’s office?