After reading this book, it seems to me like Vonnegut is portraying Billy the Pilgrim as having some form of PTSD. Also because of the book's confusing mannerisms and style of writing, it could even be construed that Vonnegut has PTSD and is trying to soothe his symptoms by writing about them. These symptoms are understandable regarding the situation. Not only are Billy and Vonnegut involved in the war in a combat sense, they have also experienced the Dresden bombings. These reactions to the bombings are interesting as both Billy and Vonnegut are part of the Allied Forces and should not have been directly affected by the bombings as they were not the targets.
I think Billy has developed PTSD before the war has even finished. He is already having flashbacks and has eccentric mannerisms that include being visited by Tralfamadorians. Although I can't regard him as insane (yet), his actions thus far seem to fall in line with the symptoms of PTSD. I don't really know where I'm going with this but Billy's mannerisms are definitely not just because he might be a little kooky or "out-there". There is something else going on in Billy's (or Vonnegut's) mind that is making him act this way. What are your thoughts?
11 comments:
i think part of the reason PTSD is less reported with regards to WWII is the lack of research. At that time, there was far less support for returning soldiers so they were less likely to be given therapy and that sort of thing.
And PTSD is a very likely reason for Billy's "imaginary world" as Mr. Crotty described it today. i haven't read very much research on PTSD, so i don't know if that's common or anything, but i think it's a logical reaction.
Like you say, I think this story is so interesting because there is a double meaning. First, what the Tralfamadorians say and their lessons are important to understanding the lessons the novel raises. Equally important, as readers, we need to try to grasp this idea of Billy Pilgrim having PTSD. Through the combination of these two reasons, SlaughterHouse-Five is a true anti-war novel.
I like your take on Vonnegut's novel. I definitely think Billy, or Vonnegut, is using this story line to alleviate pain or stress from the events that happened to him during the war. Billy's train of thought seems to be in line of someone who has PTSD. Constant jumping back and forth between memories of the past and experiences of the present qualify Billy/Vonnegut as someone suffering from PTSD. And, I agree with you that this medium, in which they share their experiences with the audience, is a way for Billy and Vonnegut to soothe their minds.
I think its interesting that PTSD has only surfaced relatively recently when looking at the history of wars. I think a lot of this has to do with the length of campaigns. For example, Gettysburg lasted 3 days, whereas some of the battles in World War I and II lasted several months.
I also think it has a lot to do with the advancement of technology. As weaponry increases, so does the amount of damage a person is able to inflict upon another. This combination can make wars extremely hard to deal with these days.
I agree with Scott that Billy (or Vonnegut) is using the story line to "alleviate" pain from the events that happened to him during the war. However, I think the process in which the memories appear are designed for the purpose of keeping the reader interested. The plot is very interesting because of the jumping back and forth between memories. While I can believe the memories would have actually been experienced the order in which they appear is somewhat confusing.
I can understand how Billy and or Vonnegut may have PTSD. I like how you said that Vonnegut may be trying to deal with his PTSD by writing the book and remember the tragic memories. Some PTSD has been so heavy and hard to handle that people have killed themselves over it. Also think about this Wacton, if you have ever seen the movie JARHEAD, Jake Gyllenhaal's spotter goes apeshit when they were given the chance to kill someone, but an airstrike killed them instead. His spotter would have never pulled the trigger and actually had the kill, but the kill meant so much to him that he was never the same after it never happened. PTSD can be in all forms, and affect its victims differently and in Vonnegut's case he is trying to cope with his past and the horrors it entails.
I don't think its fair for us to label a man insane after he has experienced such horrific events. War has traumatizing effect on people and no one returns from war the same person. Something occurs while witnessing countless deaths and murders that cannot be explained or defined. Only those who live through the war have to live with this pain and torture. Billy definitely has psychological problems, but I think his dream world is a different perspective of the world from Billy's eyes and mind.
I don't know much about PTSD except what I see on Law and Order but from what I know I'd agree with you more or less. I thought that PTSD was flashbacks (like you mention) but I don't think it's like being divorced from time. For example if a Vietnam vet is walking in a forest and looks down and sees footprints he could get a flashback to tracking in the jungle and think he's back there. Not sure about being "unstuck" in time
The idea that perhaps Vonnegut has PTSD is a valid one. I'm not sure how much truth there is in it but it nonetheless raises a good point. As I pointed in my blog, being a POW and witnessing the Bombing of Dresden from a meat locker were all events Vonnegut experienced himself. Additionally, he was a humanist, meaning that he believed in the ability for humans to decide between right and wrong, rationality (obviously I'm simplifying). Perhaps this explains his negative view of the human race, exemplified in Billy Pilgrim's repeated references to mankind's ability to perform horrible deeds, it's repeated choice to do "wrong".
I think that although Vonnegut himself was not the target of the bombings, seeing so much violent death and destruction can force one into facing his or her own mortality. I do argree with you that Vonnegut perhaps wrote Salughter House Five in attempt to deal with his own PTSD. It is interesting how Vonnegut could come up with this whole story just because of his experiencesand perhaps disorders.
I agree with Mr. Crotty about PTSD.Billy created this "fanatsy world" with the Tralfamadorians as an escape and a safe haven away from PTSD. PTSD not only messes up personal mentality, one who has PTSD acts slightly peculiar in society.
Billy Pilgram has been very succesful in coping with his PTSD because the Tralfamadorians think that he is the "perfect specimen."
GO STEELERS
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