Anything having to do with WWII have always interested me so I thought I would read Slaughterhouse-Five. It is about a man who had to serve as a Chaplain's assistant in the Army and was suddenly thrust into the Battle of the Bulge ridiculously unprepared. We was captured and forced to work in the enemy camp with others who were captured and while in Dresden, we witnessed over 130,000 people die from the bombing of the city. This is where the book gets its name because while in Dresden, he was bunked in an old slaughterhouse. Hence, Slaughterhouse-Five. The book does not start here, but jumps back and forth in time because the reader believes that time is not a linear thing, but can jump back and forth. He learned this from an alien abduction where he was taken to the fourth dimension. Here, everything occurs at the same time, so if someone dies, you will soon see them again in a different time. This shows an undercurrent of the trauma the war had for Billy. Many more events occur, including him losing his sanity at various time, the death of his father and wife, and him proclaiming his findings about aliens and the end of the US to New York through a radio show. At times the novel can be graphic, and even at time, under-emphasize something that should be portrayed graphically. The book emphasizes the horror of war and what it can do to individuals and to a whole society. Additionally, it address the idea of "free will" and whether we really have such a thing.
I can see why some parents would not want their child to read this novel. I mean, it even as a graphic/sexual picture drawn on one of the pages. But I also believe this is not a book that a teenager should read without the maturity it requires. If a teacher were to want to have this as part of the curriculum or as a reading option, it would have to be for something like an AP class where students are expected be more responsible and mature. The book teaches some great lessons and shows different viewpoints on violence, how people adapt, and how people do not adapt. It makes an individual question there own humanity and how we spend out "time." I do not believe it should be on the Challenged Booklist, but then again, I do not think a lot of books should be Challenged or Banned. It always seems like the most profound books are on that list and it makes me think if the people who "challenged" it even read them. And not just surface reading.
I too wonder sometimes if people who challenge books ever really read them or if they just hear mindless gossip or reviews from people who just might have not liked or understood a book.
ReplyDeleteI also am very intrigued by this book. I have heard of it, but never really paid any attention to it. Thanks for sharing! :)
Many students who like to read about WWII can often find books in the middle school(Soldier Boys by Dean Hughes is one I recommend). Slaughterhouse-Five is not one they have asked for. I suspect that they either haven't heard of it or would find it too confusing because of the time jumps.
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