Summary of Slaughter House Five :: Novels Literature Slaughter House Five Essays

Summary of Slaughter House Five Chapter OneThe first chapter serves as an introduction in which Vonnegut directly addresses the reader, pointing out that the book is based on events that really occurred. He experienced first-hand the destruction of Dresden, during WWII, an event that he has never been suitable to put out of his mind. For twenty-three years, he has wanted to write about it. Vonneguts attitude towards war becomes clear in this first chapter. He sees it as a totally futile occurrence, but he is resigned to the fact that war will always exist. He feels that wars have taught people insensitivity towards death. He cites the detached attitude of a woman writer as she relayed the news of a young veterans dying. He finds such a nonchalant, uncaring attitude repulsive in whatsoever human being. Vonnegut then points out the irony in the fact that war tries to fight personnel with more violence. He also questions the American governments treatment of violence as a top secret affair that is not to be discussed. I took this as interesting its just the first chapter and yet the author is pointing out and beating you with multifaceted issues that he will hopefully find solutions to towards the end of the novel. The character displayed as the author of the story tells of how he writes it and the events which lead to publication. In one instance he meets with a fellow veteran, Bernard OHare. When faced with his wife, Mary OHares anger about war, Vonnegut assures her that his book will not glorify violence. Her master(prenominal) concern is the death of babies who will grow up and die in war. Along with his assurance to her, he also considers calling the book, The Childrens Crusade. The author has tried to slump on his knowledge of the futility of destruction to his children. He wants the younger generation to ensure what the older ones have always failed to. Mary seems bizarre but I understand her purpose and that is to set out the mindset that the book wants the reader to adhere. There is a lot of precautions Vonnegut is making before he even preludes the story. Vonnegut revisits Dresden with OHare, and this, along with the ending of this book, is of great importance to him. With these two things he has managed to free himself of his obsession.