While reading pages 119-136, Billy Pilgrim reaches a state of indifference with his wife, Valencia. He does not tell her his experiences of war with enthusiasm, but more likely in an unconcerned way. At least Billy had a millionaire father-in-law who gave him a new Buick Roadmaster, and an apparently happy future. During their honeymoon it is sad that Valencia thought she was never going to marry. She must be really ugly, but wealthy. That is the only reason she got married. Why does the author call people Earthlings even though the event is not taking place in Trafalmadore?
Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
This lapid might mean the time while Billy was dosed with the morphine. Even the Coronel envied him, being half dead and still counting as alive.
After his trip through time travel and the dose of morphine, the Russian captive helped this crazy American “scarecrow” to untie itself from the barbed wire. This could mean various international relationships between both countries interpreted in as simple a scene as going to the bathroom.
The sight in the latrine really wasn’t necessary, just to introduce the author into the story. It is the first time I read a piece of work where the author narrates another character, and suddenly gets himself into the story through this character. After this, did Billy really mean that he missed his wife? In my opinion, he just missed the period of peace and tidiness.
I belief it is a penetrating simile used by comparing people sleeping, with spoons resting. Basically it causes impression because it does look similar and makes a perfect image of people sleeping.
What impresses me the most is the opening sentence of Howard W. Campbell, Jr. This sentence reflects the whole way of thinking of this person; the problem is that the truth is completely opposite. For instance, when he discusses the uniform of the American soldiers, it reflects a point contradicting his first opening sentence. This politician really does not make sense.
The theory that Mr. Trout helped Billy create his own world may be proved by the appearance of Montana Wildhack on Trafalmadore.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday Blog
During the pages 96-119, Kurt Vonnegut, speaks about the cruelty of the prison camp the Americans have just arrived to. Actually it describes the party the lucky English soldiers give to the newcomers. Evidently these novices arrived in a humiliating state. Especially Billy Pilgrim who starts a fire with the jacket the Germans give to him. In this moment the degree of degradation is such, that he was fatigued of answering questions. It is very interesting the way this dishonored soldier reacts to the play Cinderella, shrieking instead of laughing. By the way the word choice in this piece of entertainment is quite British and vulgar. This reminds me of other movies about war, naturally I’m not expecting princess-like words, but each offensive word attacks human dignity.
Under morphine, Billy feels part of the herd of giraffes, related by the height. The effects of morphine
He finds himself in the hospital near Lake Placid, New York being accused of being crazy as a cause of his childhood phobias. Very similar to the case of the book I am the Cheese, by Robert Cormier. Even the use of nature is used in both pieces of writing, the “Poo-tee-weet?” of the birds. The greatest difference is that Billy Pilgrim has no secret information to hide, nor brainwashed by the scared politicians. Both characters live their past once more, remembering their happy moments as well as experiencing the changing of time period so suddenly. In any case, both persons are completely crazy.
The character of Billy Pilgrim uses the stories from the books of Kilgore Trout to escape the horrible past he had lived. During his stay in this hospital Rosewater introduces this author to him, recognizing that this is a perfect lie to occupy his mind with. Besides his living companion, Billy has death to accompany as well, interestingly even a cup filled with water faces the claws of death.
Still in the hospital, his mother, who is still alive and embarrasses him for making her give him birth to a life he detests, visits him. At this time his father is dead and he is engaged to a fat woman daughter of the director of the Optometry College. At least he gets money from this lifetime marriage. There is a song by Harry Belafonte which says with a happy tone, “If you want to be happy for the rest of your life make an ugly woman your wife.” He falls asleep and travels again to the prison camp where the author uses humiliation and bestiality as a pretext to make this book an anti-war novel. A point of view of which I agree, war is nonsense. Who can have such courage to create weapons to kill in such a disgusting way?
While the author describes the travel to Trafalmadore, I wonder what kind of power has encursed such insanity into Kilgore Trouts head. For I know it is this personage influence that soothes the pain from Billy but as well gets him even more insane.
In this part of the novel, a new period of time in Billy’s life is introduced to the reader; he gets married and is sent out to the zoo in Trafalmadore. Meanwhile he is just getting consiousness from the morphine.
At last it is necessary to remark the answer from the crowd of trafalmadorians, which after Billy’s speech of having a planet to violent to be reasonable, simply tells him to enjoy good times and forget the past.
Under morphine, Billy feels part of the herd of giraffes, related by the height. The effects of morphine
He finds himself in the hospital near Lake Placid, New York being accused of being crazy as a cause of his childhood phobias. Very similar to the case of the book I am the Cheese, by Robert Cormier. Even the use of nature is used in both pieces of writing, the “Poo-tee-weet?” of the birds. The greatest difference is that Billy Pilgrim has no secret information to hide, nor brainwashed by the scared politicians. Both characters live their past once more, remembering their happy moments as well as experiencing the changing of time period so suddenly. In any case, both persons are completely crazy.
The character of Billy Pilgrim uses the stories from the books of Kilgore Trout to escape the horrible past he had lived. During his stay in this hospital Rosewater introduces this author to him, recognizing that this is a perfect lie to occupy his mind with. Besides his living companion, Billy has death to accompany as well, interestingly even a cup filled with water faces the claws of death.
Still in the hospital, his mother, who is still alive and embarrasses him for making her give him birth to a life he detests, visits him. At this time his father is dead and he is engaged to a fat woman daughter of the director of the Optometry College. At least he gets money from this lifetime marriage. There is a song by Harry Belafonte which says with a happy tone, “If you want to be happy for the rest of your life make an ugly woman your wife.” He falls asleep and travels again to the prison camp where the author uses humiliation and bestiality as a pretext to make this book an anti-war novel. A point of view of which I agree, war is nonsense. Who can have such courage to create weapons to kill in such a disgusting way?
While the author describes the travel to Trafalmadore, I wonder what kind of power has encursed such insanity into Kilgore Trouts head. For I know it is this personage influence that soothes the pain from Billy but as well gets him even more insane.
In this part of the novel, a new period of time in Billy’s life is introduced to the reader; he gets married and is sent out to the zoo in Trafalmadore. Meanwhile he is just getting consiousness from the morphine.
At last it is necessary to remark the answer from the crowd of trafalmadorians, which after Billy’s speech of having a planet to violent to be reasonable, simply tells him to enjoy good times and forget the past.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thursday Blog
Chapter 4:
During this chapter the reader can experience, with more intensity, the time travel. To confirm Billy Pilgrim's insanity the book refers to Alice in Wonderland with a champagne bottle. (On page 73)"Somebody had stoppered it again. "Drink me," it seemed to say." Besides the champagne was half empty and the author stated it was dead, why did he? I still don't know. "So it goes". This happened when Billy felt he was going to be picked up by the Trafalmadorians in their flying saucer. Why does the author infer on Adam and Eve? In chapter 3 with the boy who accompanied the Germans and then on page 75 he adresses them again as "perfect people" which they aren't because of the apple. They were made by God, but still they are humans.
It is curious that Tralfamadorians don't speak, and think in such a time- scale way, for instance the moment, there is no questions. For Kurt Vonnegut, Tralfamadorians are his point of view of perfection.
What could be the meaning of the forty-year old hobo who repeated that their situation wasn't bad? Why did the old man and Weary die on the same day? What was the trauma with the Three Musketeers? Maybe to show that Billy as not the only one loosing his mind, characters like Roland Weary, and Wild Bob appeared. What I feel unfair is that this unsecure, insane Weary would start accusing poor Billy Pilgrim for his death, getting everybody against him. Already having his boxcar mates scared of him for kicking and shouting while being asleep.
It is very peculiar the introduction of the English prisoners of war, compared to the Americans and the Russians. Human dignity is destroyed with the treatment "Jerry" gives the American prisoners, for instance Billy's jacket and how it was hilarious for the English troops. It is supposed to be funny, but it gives a laugh that only sadness can show.
During this chapter the reader can experience, with more intensity, the time travel. To confirm Billy Pilgrim's insanity the book refers to Alice in Wonderland with a champagne bottle. (On page 73)"Somebody had stoppered it again. "Drink me," it seemed to say." Besides the champagne was half empty and the author stated it was dead, why did he? I still don't know. "So it goes". This happened when Billy felt he was going to be picked up by the Trafalmadorians in their flying saucer. Why does the author infer on Adam and Eve? In chapter 3 with the boy who accompanied the Germans and then on page 75 he adresses them again as "perfect people" which they aren't because of the apple. They were made by God, but still they are humans.
It is curious that Tralfamadorians don't speak, and think in such a time- scale way, for instance the moment, there is no questions. For Kurt Vonnegut, Tralfamadorians are his point of view of perfection.
What could be the meaning of the forty-year old hobo who repeated that their situation wasn't bad? Why did the old man and Weary die on the same day? What was the trauma with the Three Musketeers? Maybe to show that Billy as not the only one loosing his mind, characters like Roland Weary, and Wild Bob appeared. What I feel unfair is that this unsecure, insane Weary would start accusing poor Billy Pilgrim for his death, getting everybody against him. Already having his boxcar mates scared of him for kicking and shouting while being asleep.
It is very peculiar the introduction of the English prisoners of war, compared to the Americans and the Russians. Human dignity is destroyed with the treatment "Jerry" gives the American prisoners, for instance Billy's jacket and how it was hilarious for the English troops. It is supposed to be funny, but it gives a laugh that only sadness can show.
Tuesday Blog
Chapter 3:
How can humans make other humans suffer so much? Although it is as shoking as any other novel or movie from the Second World War. What makes this novel different from the rest is the main character, following the role of a serious case of a psycological disorder caused by inhumanities of war. Though, I wonder why does the author choose such unusual moments to make these time changes happen. It is such a drastic peace-war state of mind, that he uses it to make a greater emphasis on the horrible aspects of this particular war. As well, the movie Schindler's list also uses different characteristics to make the suffering more realistic. For instance the use of black and white through out the movie, and suddenly show a girl's red dress in the middle of a scene. It is very interesting the bursting change to color, from a dull, agonic film. In this chapter Kurt Vonnegut uses the time of peace contrasting with the time of the absence of human pride.
How can humans make other humans suffer so much? Although it is as shoking as any other novel or movie from the Second World War. What makes this novel different from the rest is the main character, following the role of a serious case of a psycological disorder caused by inhumanities of war. Though, I wonder why does the author choose such unusual moments to make these time changes happen. It is such a drastic peace-war state of mind, that he uses it to make a greater emphasis on the horrible aspects of this particular war. As well, the movie Schindler's list also uses different characteristics to make the suffering more realistic. For instance the use of black and white through out the movie, and suddenly show a girl's red dress in the middle of a scene. It is very interesting the bursting change to color, from a dull, agonic film. In this chapter Kurt Vonnegut uses the time of peace contrasting with the time of the absence of human pride.
This quote on page 60 is another particular tool he uses to mark this difference,
"God grant me
the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
courage
to change the things I can,
and wisdom always
to tell the
difference."
and what is even worse is that the author using his cruel humor he says that Billy, the main character who travels in time cannot change the past, the present nor the future. Personally I like this quote because it is very useful in life, although it is hoping the help from God and I believe that this are the things we have to learn by ourselves.
In conclusion, the author contrasts utopia with dystopia. To make this point more clear, we can say that utopia is Trafalmadore(his own insanity) and the real world recognized as his dystopia.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Monday Reading Blog
While reading Chapter Two from the book Slaughter-House Five (underlined) written by Kurt Vonnegut I intended to compare this piece of writing with my own life. In the least I believe I am not losing my mind, and fortunately I have not had any event in life which could suggest so. That I can remember, the worst accident I have experienced (concerning my head) was falling head first against a steel pole. It happened during gimnastics training after an intent of making a roll in the air. Well, as an effect of this I only ended up with a strange bump in the top of my head.
The most interesting paragraph from the whole chapter was in page 27 with the writing of the second letter to the newspaper. The idea of the Tralfamadorians, about life and death and time really made me think. Supposedly when a person dies it only appears it. It is just the perfect idea to console a deeply injured heart from the idea of loss. The commentary that states the controversial idea that we live in an illusion which makes us think that once a moment has passed it has gone forever. "So it goes."
I feel personally attracted to these ideas, which apply to me in a special way, since it will happen to all of us one day. So I conclude from this segment of the book that; Death, accompanied hand by hand with the cruelty of War are the reasons poor Billy Pilgrim has gone nuts.
From this fragment of the book what shocked me the most was the first sentence, which strangely enough, the author gives special importance. "Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time."(page 23) As reading this a strange envy rised, it would be so cool to have this same power! After a few sentences my feeelings became illusions, then collapsed. He did not have control of it. Besides this, the war stories he has to perish through are agonizing, which gave me the idea that each event or object could perfectly be used as punishent in the Inferno of Dante Alighieri. I feel sorry for the cause of the violence Weary uses, but I do hate the character, he is such a bully and disgusting person. I even dislike his name, it gives a weary sensation. But I feet even more sorry for Billy, his craziness based on unexpected time changes and his wishes to die, gives such a hopeless emotion.
The most interesting paragraph from the whole chapter was in page 27 with the writing of the second letter to the newspaper. The idea of the Tralfamadorians, about life and death and time really made me think. Supposedly when a person dies it only appears it. It is just the perfect idea to console a deeply injured heart from the idea of loss. The commentary that states the controversial idea that we live in an illusion which makes us think that once a moment has passed it has gone forever. "So it goes."
I feel personally attracted to these ideas, which apply to me in a special way, since it will happen to all of us one day. So I conclude from this segment of the book that; Death, accompanied hand by hand with the cruelty of War are the reasons poor Billy Pilgrim has gone nuts.
From this fragment of the book what shocked me the most was the first sentence, which strangely enough, the author gives special importance. "Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time."(page 23) As reading this a strange envy rised, it would be so cool to have this same power! After a few sentences my feeelings became illusions, then collapsed. He did not have control of it. Besides this, the war stories he has to perish through are agonizing, which gave me the idea that each event or object could perfectly be used as punishent in the Inferno of Dante Alighieri. I feel sorry for the cause of the violence Weary uses, but I do hate the character, he is such a bully and disgusting person. I even dislike his name, it gives a weary sensation. But I feet even more sorry for Billy, his craziness based on unexpected time changes and his wishes to die, gives such a hopeless emotion.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A. What is the difference between a blog and a book?
B. How have blogs changed recently?
C. Why might you read a blog?
D. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?
E. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?
A. After reading a piece of writing from Sarah Boxer on Volume 55, Number 2 · February 14, 2008, a new point of view about what a book and a blog differ from can be easily understood. Basically books are traditional pieces of literature; while on the other hand, blogs are “reckless” pieces of information. Just as well we can say that blogs are a fast method of wasting time. It is peculiar that books may also be looked as a slow technique of enjoying the wasted time. By the way the author describes it, books are a form of expressing art and blogs are just a way to communicate gossip. Although this point of view may be quite controversial, the definition itself explains the real difference between both. A blog can be defined as a web site that contains an online personal journal also called Weblog with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. It can be read and responded by anyone with access to internet. As to definition, books are completely the opposite idea. Defined as: a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory b: a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume c: a long written or printed literary composition as well as something that yields knowledge or understanding. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Book . Books are from another generation, it is the past. Actually reading books can be easily done by internet summaries, Sparknotes for instance. Besides to write books and make it profitable, the theme has to be extremely interesting. Even more important,(just in case the topic is not that interesting) it has to follow the 5 writing traits, and contain as many literary devices as the author can create. In the other end, blogs need of no interesting topic nor complicated writing schemes. It gives the possibility of anyone(with access to internet) to enforce the right of freedom of expression. In a small conclusion books and blogs are completely opposite ideas.
B. Recently blogs have changed in a short amount of time. Consequently interrellated with new technology and the access to internet for a great quantity of people. With more people, more topics and effectively more gossip. It is more like a wheel that can´t stop, kept on inertia forever, until one day global warming will destroy everything we knew of. It could be represented as capitalism, it will grow faster within minutes. The cause of this is the simple and easy way a blog can be created, as well as commented on. The force that produces inertia is the ability for humans to create diferent points of view and the continuation of a discusion through commentaries. This way it will keep growing the number of blogs. Which it is not bad, it is just a way to entertain and spend time in an intellectual way. Getting back to the point, blogs have changed so much because of the easier way to access the internet than it was ten years ago. As well new systems to use internet have made it simpler than it was before. From mobile phones, even from iPods we have access to internet. Managing it, a 5-year old can do it. In conclusion, we have developed, and technology even more.
C. A blog might be read to keep up with recent news, comment about them, getting informed of what is happening at the other side of the world. In few words, to get communicated and spend time.
D. There is reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog, simply following the fact that we are all humans managing pieces of information. In a blog we will most certainly find bias, ideas without support, accidental mistakes, or non-accidental, we will find our own personal interests reflected through information. It is all based on communication which is the taking and giving of news.
E. If I kept a blog about myself I would not even title it because I don't have time. Only if it is schoolwork, then I would have the obligation. Thinking about it, I would prefer having many blogs, each one titled with each hobby I practice. This way I could have discussions about each sport. For instance one about swimming competitions, another about horseback-riding show competition, another about archery, other about visiting Japan/China, and finally a special one about Colombia.
B. How have blogs changed recently?
C. Why might you read a blog?
D. Is there reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog? Why? Why not?
E. If you kept your own blog, what would you title it?
A. After reading a piece of writing from Sarah Boxer on Volume 55, Number 2 · February 14, 2008, a new point of view about what a book and a blog differ from can be easily understood. Basically books are traditional pieces of literature; while on the other hand, blogs are “reckless” pieces of information. Just as well we can say that blogs are a fast method of wasting time. It is peculiar that books may also be looked as a slow technique of enjoying the wasted time. By the way the author describes it, books are a form of expressing art and blogs are just a way to communicate gossip. Although this point of view may be quite controversial, the definition itself explains the real difference between both. A blog can be defined as a web site that contains an online personal journal also called Weblog with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. It can be read and responded by anyone with access to internet. As to definition, books are completely the opposite idea. Defined as: a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory b: a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume c: a long written or printed literary composition as well as something that yields knowledge or understanding. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Book . Books are from another generation, it is the past. Actually reading books can be easily done by internet summaries, Sparknotes for instance. Besides to write books and make it profitable, the theme has to be extremely interesting. Even more important,(just in case the topic is not that interesting) it has to follow the 5 writing traits, and contain as many literary devices as the author can create. In the other end, blogs need of no interesting topic nor complicated writing schemes. It gives the possibility of anyone(with access to internet) to enforce the right of freedom of expression. In a small conclusion books and blogs are completely opposite ideas.
B. Recently blogs have changed in a short amount of time. Consequently interrellated with new technology and the access to internet for a great quantity of people. With more people, more topics and effectively more gossip. It is more like a wheel that can´t stop, kept on inertia forever, until one day global warming will destroy everything we knew of. It could be represented as capitalism, it will grow faster within minutes. The cause of this is the simple and easy way a blog can be created, as well as commented on. The force that produces inertia is the ability for humans to create diferent points of view and the continuation of a discusion through commentaries. This way it will keep growing the number of blogs. Which it is not bad, it is just a way to entertain and spend time in an intellectual way. Getting back to the point, blogs have changed so much because of the easier way to access the internet than it was ten years ago. As well new systems to use internet have made it simpler than it was before. From mobile phones, even from iPods we have access to internet. Managing it, a 5-year old can do it. In conclusion, we have developed, and technology even more.
C. A blog might be read to keep up with recent news, comment about them, getting informed of what is happening at the other side of the world. In few words, to get communicated and spend time.
D. There is reason to doubt the objectivity of a blog, simply following the fact that we are all humans managing pieces of information. In a blog we will most certainly find bias, ideas without support, accidental mistakes, or non-accidental, we will find our own personal interests reflected through information. It is all based on communication which is the taking and giving of news.
E. If I kept a blog about myself I would not even title it because I don't have time. Only if it is schoolwork, then I would have the obligation. Thinking about it, I would prefer having many blogs, each one titled with each hobby I practice. This way I could have discussions about each sport. For instance one about swimming competitions, another about horseback-riding show competition, another about archery, other about visiting Japan/China, and finally a special one about Colombia.
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