Our Written Fate

Chapter four is a very important part of the book. In this section, Billy meets with the Tralfamadorians for the first time. We already knew this would happen because of the puzzle structure. Although, this is the first time it occurs in present like time. Vonnegut uses the stereotypical movie plot of an alien abduction, which is a disappointing based on the creativity of his other chapters. Once in the ship, the aliens explain to Billy their power of traveling in the time continuum. Billy asks the alien some questions of why he was taken. He says, why me? The Tralfamadorians continue to explain, humans always ask delusional questions about destiny. According to them we, are the only civilizations they’ve visited, that believes in free will instead. “If I hadn’t spent so much time studying Earthlings… I wouldn’t have any idea what was meant by ‘free will.’…Only on earth is there any talk of free will.” It is as if the Tralfamadorians are saying we are delusional, by thinking we have control over our fate. I relate this to the movie “The Adjustment Bureau” starring MattDamon. Damon’s character, David Norris discovers the awful truth; people’s destinies are controlled by God or as referred to in the movie “The Chairman”. God’s angels are represented as a government like agency, The Adjustment Bureau, where “The Chairman” is the director. These angels must coordinate our actions so everything goes according to plan. David Norris in search for the love of his life must outrun his destiny to be with her. The movie does have a cheesy plot, yet it still left me wondering, does our world run on destiny?

As I read on I was struck with the over use of “so it goes”. In this short chapter it’s used over 8 times. This might indicate the loss of importance of the signature phrase. He even uses it non-death situation, “It didn’t make a pop. The champagne was dead. So it goes.” The decay of the importance of the phrase indicates Billy’s acceptance of death. He has either finally accepted the death of people or just suppressed it. The blocking of death memories might be the case. My point is proven when he watches a movie of the war, backwards. “It was a movie about the American Bombers in the second world war and the gallant men who flew them. Seen backwards by Billy…” The description is of how all the ruins and dead soldiers come back to life. This might hint that Billy is suppressing his horrible memories and living on.

This book seams to get better and better as I read. I am curious, how Billy will survive being a prisoner at war. It’s exhilarating. I am also eager to find who and what type of narrator is the book in.