Life of Pi: Chapters 9-10

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Small note...but interesting to ponder...the narrator measures flight distances in yards, not meters...

Interesting notes on flight distances, just the same. I would like to know how -- specifically -- they reduce that distance for zoo life.

Which animals multiplied to excess?

"...the animals don't escape to somewhere but from something." Aren't humans the same? Isn't this one of the animal traits that humans have retained despite civilization?

How might you explain that Chapter 10 has some qualities of a fable?

Life of Pi: Chapters 7-8

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After all of the religious allusions, it is interesting that one of his most memorable teachers is Mr. Kumar, an avowed atheist. Also interesting is Mr. Kumar's view that the animals at the zoo proved the scientific order of things...this is not the wonder and awe that zoos usually produce in their visitors. He also refers to it as his temple. Why?

Perhaps most interesting is that the narrator views atheism as a religion of a different sort. How can this be true? What does he mean when he says, "Like me, they go as far as the legs of reason will carry them -- and then they leap"?

What is wrong with people? Why would you want to hurt zoo animals?

Thoughts on the goat scene?

With the exception of the guinea pigs, the narrator's father simply tells of the dangers the other animals are capable of...why start with the excessively violent scene with the tiger? Why would he do this to his sons? Why not just tell them like he did with the other animals?

Life of Pi: Chapters 5-6

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I wonder why, when discussing name changes that go beyond just name changes, the narrator refers only to Biblical names/lives that were changed...and then, when comparing his persecution (Pissing) and his resulting desire to leave St. Joseph's, he compares himself to Muhammad in Mecca...

Again, I am not sure about the reason for the italics in Chapter 6...or who might be narrating it...or who the subject of the chapter is...but I will come back to this chapter once I have a stronger idea of these things. I am assuming it will be made clear.

Life of Pi: Chapters 3-4

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I will never swim in a European pool...I will never swim in a European pool...I will never swim in a European pool...

Why name a child after a pool? Unless he was conceived there or his parents experienced some amazing event there, I don't see why they would name him that.

Search Engine Fun for the Day: Find Pondicherry on a map of India.

I have gone back to the place where I grew up -- a farm with 40 acres of woods with a pond, a creek, and a deer-infested marsh. When I go there now, it amazes me how small 40 acres is. Ever experienced this phenomenon?

I like the comparison between the hotel business and the zoo business. Made me chuckle. Anyone with me?

How cool would it be to grow up in a zoo? That would be awesome. Anyone grow up somewhere cool like that?

Starting on page 16 (at least of my version), the narrator begins to pontificate on the idea of freedom. Do you agree with his assessment of the animals' freedom? Is there something missing in his argument that animals are better off in a zoo? Can you poke holes in his argument, or have you been thoroughly convinced by his logical explanation?

He mentions that religion has its own issues with freedom. What does he seem to be suggesting by this?

Life of Pi: Chapters 1-2

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Author John Irving, writer of A Prayer for Owen Meany, has an interesting take on first sentences of novels. In his introduction to the aforementioned novel, Irving writes that "the primary function of a first sentence is to make you keep reading." Does the first sentence of this novel accomplish that? If so, what is it about the sentence that makes you want to keep reading?

What is the cosmogony theory of Isaac Lutia? With the advent of the internet, finding out about these allusions is extremely easy, so don't let them pass you by when you have time to look them up. They could lead you down paths you never thought would have existed. So who is this guy and what is so important about his theory?

What is the connection between religion and zoology? Why choose this double major?

indolence...definition?

What is the purpose of the three-toed sloth? The narrator sure spends a lot of time on it...

In speaking of the sloth, the narrator states that he felt like he "was in the presence of an upside-down yogi deep in meditation or a hermit deep in prayer." Others say sloths smile. Why does the narrator not want to project human traits on the animal but chooses to project spiritual traits on it?

What is a "memento mori painting"? How is it significant?

Who is Richard Parker?

Why is the waiter's comment concerning the narrator ("fresh off the boat" so disturbing to the narrator?

Why is Chapter 2 written in italics? To whom is it referring?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Examples from Class May 21

Using a colon (he said "colon"...teehee):

Much has already been done to ensure that stem cell research is used in the future: “Congress twice passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act with strong bipartisan support and both times President Bush vetoed the bill” (Smith 24).

Integrating into a sentence:

Stem cell research has already received “strong bipartisan support” (Smith 24).

Paraphrasing:

I am paraphrasing about stem cells here. The research has gotten strong support from both major parties at this point (Smith 24).

Using colon for large block quote: 

This is important info on stem cells:

Congress twice passed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act with strong bipartisan support and both times President Bush vetoed the bill. President Barack Obama lifted the restrictions on federal funding for ESCR on March 9, 2009 by an Executive Order. Research!America issued a statement commending this action.
Prior to President Obama's Executive Order, federal funding was limited to those lines created before August 9, 2001, as directed by President George W. Bush. Legislation will be necessary to ensure that a future president cannot reinstate similar restrictions by Executive Order. (Smith 24)

This was done…

According to...

According to Harvard professor Jimmy Smith, “Prior to President Obama's Executive Order, federal funding was limited to those lines created before August 9, 2001, as directed by President George W. Bush. Legislation will be necessary to ensure that a future president cannot reinstate similar restrictions by Executive Order” (24).

convention, denouement, deus ex machina

2 convention-denouement-deusexmachina

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tragic hero

5 tragichero

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pathos, stage directions, subplot

3 monologue-parallelplot-parody

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Monologue, parallel plot, parody

3 monologue-parallelplot-parody

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Aside, Catharsis, Comic Relief

1 aside-catharsis-comicrelief

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Drama Terms 4

4 irony-verbal-situational-dramatic

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Drama Lit Terms 3

3 pun-farce-epithet

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Drama Lit Terms 2

2 foil-malapropism-paradox

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Drama Lit Terms 1

1 blankverse-conceit-soliloquy

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Lit Terms 3/13

11 exposition-figurativelanguage

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Lit terms 3/12

10 epic-epigram-euphony

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Elements of style

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9 diction-dramaticmonologue-enjambment

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7 conflict-connotation-convention

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6 character-climax-comicrelief

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8 dactyl-denouement-deusexmachina

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5 cacophony-caesura-catharsis

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4 aside-ballad-blankverse

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3 allegory-allusion-antagonist

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2 alliteration-anapest

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1 apostrophe-aubade

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Literature Terms 2

Alliteration: A poetic sound device: the repetition of an initial consonant sound

(Can occur at the beginning of a word or a syllable)

Example: 

Beowulf (excerpt from Episode I)

  Now Beowulf bode in the burg of the Scyldings,
leader beloved, and long he ruled
in fame with all folk, since his father had gone
away from the world, till awoke an heir,
haughty Healfdene, who held through life,
sage and sturdy, the Scyldings glad.
Then, one after one, there woke to him, to the chieftain of clansmen, children four:

What is the purpose of alliteration?

It creates:

–An emphasis of words or ideas

–A contrast of ideas

–A melodic effect; it “rolls off the tongue”

Anapest: A metrical foot consisting of two short (or unstressed) syllables followed by one long (or stressed) syllable

Like iambs (iambic), anapests can be arranged in anapestic:

–trimeter, tetrameter, pentameter, etc.

Example: stressed syllables are underlined.

“The Destruction of Sennacherib” (excerpt)
Lord Byron

The Assyrian came down like a wolf on the fold

And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold

And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea

When the blue waves roll nightly on deep Gallilee. 

Literature Terms 1

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Apostrophe: A poetic device used to address absent or imaginary people or objects.


Example: 

God’s World (excerpt)

Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892)

O WORLD, I cannot hold thee close enough!

  Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!

  Thy mists that roll and rise!

Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag

And all but cry with color! 

Aubade: A poem or song about lovers separating at dawn

Example:

A Late Aubade

Richard Wilbur (1968) -- an excerpt

Of time, by woman's reckoning,

You've saved, and so may spend on this,

You who had rather lie in bed and kiss

Than anything.

It's almost noon, you say? If so,

Time flies, and I need not rehearse

The rosebuds-theme of centuries of verse.

If you mustgo,

Wait for a while, then slip downstairs

And bring us up some chilled white wine,

And some blue cheese, and crackers, and some fine

Ruddy-skinned pears. 

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Paragraph Support Work

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Here is the work we did on how to support ideas in an essay using quotes from a story. Use these ideas as a jumping off point for your own paper.

Example 1: Due to the news of her husband’s death, the mood of the story would most likely be depressing and full of grief. Instead, in paragraphs 5-6, the mood appears to be hopeful. Typically, the setting most used to create a depressed mood is gray or stormy skies. In paragraph 6, however, the narrator uses “patches of blue sky” to describe the view from Louise’ window. This blue sky represents the clear, bright future she expects now that her husband is history.

Example 2: In paragraph 5 of the story, there are several details that do not fit the expected tone of the situation. Considering the fact that Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death, it is reasonable to expect the tone to be one of grieving. However, the tone comes through as hopeful and joyful when the outside landscape is described. As Mrs. Mallard looks out into the square, Chopin describes the view as showing “the tops of the trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.” The mention of the “new spring life” evokes a hopeful tone due to its allusion to rebirth, an allusion that doesn’t fit a death scene.

Example 3: In paragraph 5 of the story, there are several details that do not fit the expected tone of the situation. Considering the fact that Louise Mallard has just learned of her husband’s death, it is reasonable to expect the tone to be one of grieving. However, the tone comes through as hopeful and joyful when the outside landscape is described. Chopin begins the paragraph by describing the view out the window: “She could see in the open square before her house the tops of the trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life.” The mention of the “new spring life” evokes a hopeful tone due to its allusion to rebirth, an allusion that doesn’t fit a death scene.

The Dreaded Essay

OK...It has been requested that I post the writing prompt on the blog, so I will do so. Afterwards, I will give some advice to help you write a solid paper. Should you have any questions about writing the paper, please put them on this post...that way I can answer them here for everyone. Therefore, before you ask your question, read through what has already been asked and answered so there are no repeat questions. So, here goes:

Essay Question

Science fiction often involves social criticism. Write a 3-4 page paper explaining what parts of the social world are being criticized by these novels and explain how the authors create the criticism within the framework of their stories.

I expect a solid introduction and conclusion. Your paper should reflect extensive knowledge of the novels and insightful analysis. Show me what you know.

The essay should be typed in 12 point font (Times New Roman or Courier New). It should be double-spaced and have one-inch margins all around. I will be looking at your grammar usage and spelling as part of your grade on this paper, so have someone read it over before you turn it in to me.

Remember, the paper should be 3-4 pages in length…not 4 pages, not 2.5 pages. Be concise and precise.

Again, the paper is due on the first day of class and will act as your pass into my class. You will also have an objective test over the novel on the first day of class.

The paper should also be formatted in the MLA Style. If you don't know what that looks like, consult the OWL at Purdue website (On-Line Writing Lab). Just Google it.

I don't want you to use sources for your paper. I want your own thoughts and insights. You may consult various sources to develop your own definition of literature, but since it is considered common knowledge, you won't have to cite those sources.

Most important: solid thesis statement and solid, specific support from the novel. You only have 3-4 pages, so I don't expect every iota of support you can find. Use the best of what you have. Make sure that your support comes from various parts of the novel, indicating that you have knowledge of the novel as a whole.

Again, all other questions should be posted below.

See you on Tuesday.

The Road 270-287

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When asked by the boy to tell about the bravest thing he'd ever done, the man replied, "Getting up this morning." What does he mean by this statement? What is so brave about him getting up?

What do you think is more difficult: being the boy and listening to see if your father is still breathing or being the man and knowing your son is doing that?

crozzled...new word to me...I like it.

He'd stop and lean on the cart and the boy would go on and then stop and look back and he would raise his weeping eyes and see him standing there in the road looking back at him from some unimaginable future, glowing in that waste like a tabernacle. There are still religious allusions sprinkled in here. If there is no hope -- as seems to be the case -- why cling to religion?

The man imagines this is the reversal of creation -- what it must have been like before, when the earth was first made. If so, isn't this hope, since the world would have evolved from this point before? Is it plausible that this could be a new starting point?

Look around you, he said. There is no prophet in the earth's long chronicle who's not honored here today. Whatever form you spoke of you were right. What does this passage mean to you?

What clues do we have that the man (and woman) are not cannibals -- are "good guys"? What doubts are there?

Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current where the white edges of their fins wimpled softly in the flow. They smelled of moss in your hand. Polished and muscular and torsional. On their backs were vermiculate patterns that were maps of the world in its becoming. Maps and mazes. Of a thing which could not be put back. Not be made right again. Inn the deep glens where they lived all things were older than man and they hummed of mystery.

Love that final paragraph. There appears to be some hope buried there...what hope do you see in this last paragraph? What other things are hidden in this paragraph?

The Road 245-269

(Photo Credit: http://westtecmarine.com)

"I will not send you into the darkness alone." We know what this suggests, but what does this tell us about the man as a person...as a father?

You tried to kill us.
I'm starving, man. You'd have done the same.
You took everything.
Come on, man. I'll die.
I'm going to leave you the way you left us.
Is the man being hypocritical here? Is he being fair to the thief?

You're not the one who has to worry about everything.
Yes I am, he said. I am the one.
Explain the meaning of this exchange. What does this tell us about the man? the boy?

The boy believes they killed the thief. What do you believe?

The man tells the woman that she was left here...she claims she chose to be here...what do you think?

How well do you think the boy understands their predicament? Give examples for support.

The Road 220-244

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"One vast salt sepulchre. Senseless. Senseless." Again, the description of the beach is quite different from what is expected of a beach. What images stand out to you and what about them stands out?

What is the translation of the boat's gilt lettering? What is the significance? Is it ironic?

What is a mae west? Is there any significance to this?

What is a sextant? What does the fact that he put it back in a cupboard suggest about the man?

The man thinks, "good luck might be no such thing." He envies the dead on most nights. If this is the case, what keeps him going? Why is he trying so hard to survive?


On p. 244 in my book, there is an exchange between the man and the boy:

Boy: I don't know what we're doing.
Man: There are people and we'll find them. You'll see.

Focusing on the entire exchange, what do we learn about these two characters at this point?

The Road 195-219

(Photo Credit: http://wired.com)

What is so significant about the fact that the group who is following them has a pregnant woman with them?

How traumatic to see the baby cooking over the fire...what do you make of the way the boy handled seeing that?

What is significant about the man finding a Spanish coin and arrowheads at this point in the book? What do these items represent?

Great line: "They wandered through the rooms like skeptical housebuyers."

The man involves the boy in most decisions, such as the decision to eat the home-canned food. Why is it important that the man involves him?

The man thinks, "They are watching for a thing that even death cannot undo and if they do not see it they will turn away from us and they will not come back." Explain your understanding of this quote.

Another great line (though gruesome): "The dull green antique coppers spilled from out the tills of their eyesockets onto the stained and rotted coffin floors."

tokus --> a clue to heritage?

When the boy comes in from his swim, he's crying. Why do you think he's crying?

The Road 168-194

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The old man says, "I was always on the road." Does this mean he was a transcient before the devastation? Why would this matter?

"Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave." Explain this quote, then tell me what you think about it.

"There is no God and we are his prophets." What? What does this mean?

"Where men can't live gods fare no better." Explain this one...

The old man thinks the boy will "get over" believing in God. What do you think, and why?

"I am going to die," he said. "Tell me how I am to do that." What does the man mean? What are the possible answers?

The boy forgets to turn off the valve for their make-shift stove. What do we learn about the characters from the exchange that takes place concerning this oversight?

On p. 177 in my book, there is a description of the coastal plains. Compared with your experience of the coastal plains (assuming you've experienced them), what is the difference between your experience and the description we get? Why is this significant?

What is different when you compare the boy looking over the map to the man doing the same thing as a boy?

The man dreams of a library where the books were charred and he sees the shelves were tipped over. "Some rage at the lies arranged in their thousands row on row." What lies are in the books that cause rage?

Why do you think McCarthy included the memory with the burning snakes? What prompts the man to remember this scene from his childhood?

"When your dreams are of some world that never was or of some world that never will be and you are happy again then you will have given up." Explain your understanding of this quote.

What has caused the new distance between the man and the boy?

The Road: 145-167

(Photo Credit: http://ehow.com)

The boy says a prayer...sort of...what is significant about the prayer? What does it tell you about the boy and the man?

Great image: "The only light was from the ring of blue teeth in the burner of the stove."

They only stay in the bunker a couple of days. If no one has found it so far, what makes them think it's dangerous to stay longer?

"If trouble comes when you least expect it then maybe the thing to do is always expect it." What do you think of this logic?

McCarthy does a masterful job of writing the dialogue -- he captures a young boy's curiosity and imagination quite vividly and accurately. The conversation about crows is priceless. How does it help characterize the two characters?

"What are our long term goals?" Why doesn't the man answer this question?

Why do you think the boy is so much more willing to help others? He knows the consequences they could face, yet he still wants to help -- why?

What's significant about the old man's name (allusion)?

The Road: 100-144

(Photo Credit: http://madehealthier.com)


What is port cochere?

“Can you do it? When the time comes?” This is repetition of an earlier phrase. Is he any more apt to do it now? Is there any difference between the earlier situation and this one?

How do they discern between good houses and bad houses?

The man explains why they didn’t help the people in the cellar. Is it a solid explanation? Do you think the boy will settle for it?

Is cannibalism acceptable given the setting? Is it understandable?

Considering the state of the country, why does he put flower seeds in his pocket? They’re not edible…

On p. 134, the boy doesn’t want the man to open the door they found in the grass. Why is he so against it?

Why is it important to the boy that the people who built the bunker were the good guys?

The man thought he was going to die. Now he finds himself in a food paradise. It says he has to think about that. What does he have to think about?

The Road 77-100

(Photo Credit: http://energybulletin.net)

The man makes the boy a flute, allows him to put toys in the cart, and tells him stories -- still trying to give the boy as normal a childhood as possible...

Why is the boy so concerned about the dog? Why is it important that they don't eat the dog?

Did the boy actually see another little boy or didn't he? How is the man so sure he didn't? Or is the man just trying to get the boy to think he imagined it? He changes his tune later, though, indicating that he does believe the boy. Why is he now conceding this?

On p. 87 in my book, there is a shift in narration: "The dog he remembers followed us for two days." It is the voice of the father...what does this narration change add to the story?

"He doesn't remember any little boys." How sad that the boy has never had a sibling, a friend, or a playmate...his whole life...Just sayin'...

"The names of things slowly following those things into oblivion. Colors. The names of birds. Things to eat. Finally the names of things one believed to be true." At what point does it end? What things or names of things would be the most devastating to lose?

Very gruesome scene of bones, etc. He and the boy are together, but the man stops and looks for longer. Why?

They see the bad guys march by, and the father states that it's not a good sign. Why do you think this is a bad sign?

The Road: 52-76

(Photo Credit: http://amazon.com)

On p. 52 in my version of the book, there is a quote that begins like this: "They stood on the far shore of the river..." Find this paragraph and explain what it means to you.

He fills the tub with water. She asks why he's taking a bath. He says he isn't...so what is it that he's doing here?

Why does the man play cards with the boy...or, rather, why is it so important that he does?

On p. 55 in my version of the book, there is a quote that begins like this: "No lists of things..." What are your thoughts on this paragraph?

She says there used to be three bullets, but now there are only two. What happened to that third bullet?

Why do "women dream of danger to those in their care and men of danger to themselves?

Why do you think her heart was ripped out of her the night her son was born? This goes against a mother's natural instincts...

Why do you think that the boy's reaction to her leaving was so emotionally cold?

Why won't the boy talk to him for a while in this section?

"Where you've nothing else construct ceremonies out of the air and breathe upon them." What is important about this?

When the man mentions that the guy he killed was the first person he had talked to in a year (besides his son), why does he refer to the man as "my brother at last?"

The snow presents practical problems, but what do you think it might symbolize?

What is quoits? Gotta look that one up...

The Road: 27-52

(Photo Credit: http://mytennesseewaterfalls.com)

"The last instance of a thing takes the class with it. Turns out the light and is gone. Look around you. Ever is a long time. But the boy knew what he knew. That ever is no time at all." What are your thoughts on this passage?

"Can you do it? When the time comes? Can you?" What is it the man is thinking of doing?

"Not all dying words are true and this blessing is no less veal for being shorn of its ground." What are your thoughts on this sentence?

Great query: "How does the never to be differ from what never was?" Got an answer? Take a shot.

I think you can figure out why the man gives the boy all of what's left of the hot chocolate while he drinks hot water, pretending it's hot chocolate...but how do you explain the boy's reaction to this?

Can you interpret the penguin dream? Take a shot.

What is significant about the fact that the man tells "old stories of courage and justice?"

The man is extremely honest with the boy about their situation, but his truthfulness appears to have limits. What limits do you see?

What do you think of the man's decision to leave the lightning-struck man alone with no help?

Cormac McCarthy meets Oprah

Here is a link to an interview with Cormac McCarthy. I couldn't get the video to download for me, but this will work just as well.

Cormac McCarthy meets Oprah

The Road: 3-27

(Photo Credit: http://radekaphotography.com)

So as you can tell, I am creating posts on this novel based on page numbers...it may not match your pagination, but it should be pretty close. And so, we begin...

Remember the dream that starts the novel. McCarthy wouldn't have begun the novel with the dream if it wasn't important.

"With the first gray light..." This paragraph is packed with info, both stated and implied. What important info can you get from this tightly written paragraph?

McCarthy chooses not to use quotation marks for his dialogue. Why do you think he made this stylistic choice? What effect does this have on the story?

Why do you think the man tried to call his father from the gas station?

What color(s) dominate the story? What is the symbolism of the color(s)? What tone do the colors in the book help to create? Without naming a color, McCarthy often mentions objects that we see as a particular color in our mind's eye. What are some of these objects?

Who is the narrator? What stands out about the narration?

On p. 10, the point of view changes to the boy, but just briefly...what stands out to you about this conversation between the boy and the man?

How would you characterize the man's religious beliefs?

The man describes his perfect day from his childhood. What stands out to you about this brief memory?

"It's snowing, the boy said. He looked at the sky. A single gray flake sifting down. He caught it in his hand and watched it expire there like the last host of christendom." Love this. What is so good about this excerpt?

First real mention of other people in the book's present tense: bloodcults, road-agents, and marauders. What does this suggest about the area where they are?

The man is very handy and a creative, practical thinker. What profession do you suppose he had in the past?

"...the right dreams for a man in peril were dreams of peril and all else was the call of languor and death." Do you agree with the man's assessment of dreams? Why do you think he believes this (or at least says that he believes it)?

Where are the only sections of the book with bright colors set? What is significant about the use of bright colors?

Where is Rock City? What does this reference do for us as readers?

What do you find significant about the Coca Cola scene?

So up to this point (p. 27), there hasn't been an encounter with another LIVING person or animal...what do you think has happened here? Do you think it is a regional, national, international, or universal event?

Chapter Ten: Fin

(Photo Credit: http://talksportsphilly.com)

Our narrator places himself back into the story again with an account of the deaths he has recently encountered. What is significant about the wording?

Why would aliens be so interested in Darwin? Why would they be interested in golf?

How had O'Hare and the narrator become so "extremely well-to-do"? Why does the narrator repeat Billy's phrase about Wild Bob?

What do you make of the comments the narrator and O'Hare have after they read the population data?

Now we have the narrator, O'Hare, and Billy all together in Dresden...does this solidify Billy's story?

Why is Dresden described as being the moon? Do you suppose it's a fitting description?
If so, how?

What does the position and condition of the first set of bodies found in Dresden suggest?

I like this ending...but it might not strike you the same. Take a look at the last 3-4 paragraphs...do you think this was a good way for Vonnegut to end the novel? Did the narrator keep his promise to Mary O'Hare?

Chapter 9

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What a bizarre way for Valencia to go. Since we know that writers can dispose of characters in any way they wish, why do you think Vonnegut chose this circuitous route to Valencia's demise?

Love the Roosevelt quote...

Why is Rumfoord brought into the story? What does he do to move the plot along?

Why doesn't Rumfoord believe Billy was in Dresden initially?

Billy and the Americans were looting Dresden...does this change your opinion of Billy?

What does it say about Billy that the only thing he cries about during the entire war is the condition of the horses?

Why does the Rumfoord section end after Billy mentions the Tralfamadorians?

Billy realizes that he has read The Big Board before. This novel kind of mirrors his own experiences on Tralfamador. What does this fact suggest?

What is significant about the Jesus story?

Why does Vonnegut choose to put Billy in an adult bookstore? What do we learn about Billy based on his reactions there?

So we see the serenity prayer again, this time on Montana's necklace...what does this suggest about the earlier encounter with the prayer?

Chapter Eight

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Although Howard W. Campbell, Jr., is a fictional character, "The Free American Corps" was very real. Look it up.

What do you make of Derby's stance against Campbell? What do you make of the fact that he's the only one to make that stand?

Why does Billy's daughter want to kill Kilgore Trout?

Kilgore Trout created the idea of burning jellied gasoline. What is this substance referred to as today? Where was it used extensively? Why is it important that robots created and used it in the book?

Another great description: "She was a dull person, but a sensational invitation to make babies." Made me chuckle.

Why do you think Billy reacts so adversely to the "old gang of mine" song?

Has anyone ever tried the mirror/dog trick? I wonder if it works...

Odd thing to say about one's son: "Billy liked him, but didn't know him very well." How do you think this came to be?

Odd that after the bombing of Dresden, one of Billy's strongest memories is that the guards reminded him of a barbershop quartet...

Bombing of Dresden: 2/13/45. Why does this date sound familiar?

So Billy fathered a child with Montana Wildhack. He also goes through the entire pregnancy with her while in the Tralfamadorian zoo. As far as characterization goes, what does this tell us about Billy?

What a bizarre scene...Billy and the Americans come out of the slaughterhouse to see Dresden utterly destroyed...they make their way through the destruction, and just outside of town they see an inn open for business. Why do you think Vonnegut included this seemingly unlikely scene?

Chapter Seven

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How can you know the plane is going to crash and not say something -- allow people the opportunity to make their peace with God, for instance?

How does the nature of the Polish songs characterize Lionel Merble?

Billy was in a mental institution, and now we find out he had a massive head injury in the plane crash...could this explain the fact that his narration is questionable at best? Later it states that -- while unconcious from surgery -- billy "dreamed millions of things, some of them true. The true things were time travel." True according to whom?

Why do you think Vonnegut includes the scene with the women showering?

Interesting to see how Vonnegut described the spooning of vitamins. It was as if his body was thanking him...Have you ever craved some type of nourishment and had your body thank you?

Chapter 6: Dresden

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Again, Vonnegut starts with, "Billy Pilgrim says..." Does this mean Billy is an unreliable narrator to our narrator?

Vonnegut keeps describing Edgar Derby as the "high school teacher who would eventually be shot." Why does he keep reminding us of that fact?

How could the lumps in the jacket work miracles for him if he didn't question their nature?

"Golgotha sounds" -- anybody have a comment on the source of this allusion? Great phrase...

Isn't it odd to have dartboards and pool tables in a war? Are they included simply as touches of realism or for some other reason?

What are your thoughts on Lazzaro's canine revenge? What about his planned revenge on the Blue Fairy Godmother? What do these things reveal about his character? Should Billy be nervous, or is Lazzaro just a big talker?

Billy dies on 2/13/76, the day before Valentine's Day...is there any other historical significance to that date?

The state of the United States has changed. There are "20 petty nations" instead of one that is united. Chicago has been hit by a hydrogen bomb that was dropped by "angry Chinamen." These things have not actually taken place in history. What is the idea behind these facts? Why does Vonnegut choose this fate for the United States?

What is geodesic? Why is that important?

The flag described is a Hereford bull in a field of green. Anybody read
Animal Farm? Seems to be a similarity between the flags. What is the significance of that?

Death is said to be nothing but violet light and a hum...no one else is there...not even Billy Pilgrim. Kind of depressing and empty.

What does the line drawn in the dirt by the Englishman mean?

What do you make of the fact that the Cinderella boots fit Billy perfectly? Is there any of the Cinderella story in Billy's story?

On page 146 in my book, the Englishman states that nothing in Dresden is worth bombing. If all of the reasons he gives are true, then why was Dresden obliterated by bombs?

Our narrator shows up in Dresden...behind Billy in the boxcar. What significance might there be in his comparing Dresden to Oz?

Since Billy knows that Dresden will be destroyed in the bombing, he takes in the beauty of the city with new eyes. Why is it that people generally don't take in beauty like this until it's too late?

What was the purpose of hiding a denture in the lining of the muff?

Chapter 5

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What is the significance of the Tralfamadorians having only one book and the fact that the one book they have is Valley of the Dolls?

Billy seems to be full of fear at age 12...fear of the Grand Canyon, fear of falling in, fear of having his mother push him in, the Carlsbad Cavern's roof falling in on him, a glow-in-the-dark watch...what's with all the fear?

I wonder what the American said to make the guard angry enough to knock him down...

The Englishmen had saved all that food...why not take care of the clerical error so that the troops on the front would have enough food?

New word alert: rodomontades

The British are shown to treat war as something stylish, reasonable, and fun. Why?

"The banquet hall was illuminated by candlelight." The candlelight was provided by candles made of human fat. grotesque image in an otherwise celebratory, welcoming environment...

Where else would one be able to take in a showing of Cinderella during WWII?

Why is it significant that Derby is reading The Red Badge of Courage?

So Billy was in a mental ward after the war...Does this make his story more or less plausible?

"So they were trying to re-invent themselves and their universe. Science fiction was a big help." How so?

Derby refers to the war as the "Children's Crusade." Where have we heard that before? Why is that significant?

Why do you suppose Billy is so averse to seeing his mother? Is the explanation of feeling guilty sufficient, or is there more to it?

Valencia sounds like a prize...

What do you make of the re-write of the New Testament?

Funny that the Tralfamadorian crowd goes crazy when Billy goes to the bathroom -- just like crowds at the zoo react when apes or monkeys go to the bathroom. What's up with that reaction?

Why can't humans follow the advice of the Tralfamadorians and just ignore the bad and celebrate the good?

What are your thoughts on the gravestone drawing?

What are your thoughts on Howard W. Campbell, Jr.'s thoughts on Americans and war?

Is Billy cheating on Valencia when he is sleeping with Montana, or is he absolved by the fact that it happens on a different planet?