Slaughterhouse V and Humanity

Just recently I have had the chance to read the Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter House V. The story is a sci-fi story about a young war veteran named Billy becoming unstuck from time and as he relives certain moments in his life. Billy is unstuck thanks to the help of an alien race known as the Tralfamadorians. I will admit that at times in the story it was hard to follow but there were moments of interest in the story. I found however the questioning of humanities actions particularly interesting.

Billy particularly uses his new time-traveling to do things such as escape from events that he considered to particularly distressing, whether it be a war scenario such as escaping a bombing raid when he was in a P.O.W. camp to go to a peaceful day with his family. It is particular interesting in seeing these powers be used as it makes the plot nonlinear. The big detail however is that he can't change the events, as they happened already. For example, since the Tralfamadorians have these powers as well, they see the end of universe over and over and not only do they know how it ends but they also try to prevent it, but it is unavoidable they figure out. This does not mean however that the feelings he has from these events can change his mood, it's just the results will be the same. This make Billy more and more resigned to fate but stills question on whether or not if free will can still change these events.

In fact, one quote mentioned by the Tralfamadorians is that "Only on Earth is there talk of free will." This is particularly interesting as it implies that free will is hard to find, or even a concept. Billy however ponders if this means though that war can be prevented. To the Tralfamadorians though, they feel that war is unavoidable, as well as fate. They can’t ignore it because they just do it. It’s interesting as it seems Vonnegut is commenting on the concept of fate and free will together. He seems to suggest that war like most other things is unavoidable but if we have free will, can we not do anything to avoid this? It’s interesting because Vonnegut seems to leave this question open ended and leaves little to go on. When one reads this story, I think they will find that this raises several new questions to people’s philosophies.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Over the past few days, I got to examine the novel Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. This story was fairly interesting, as it was about the events relating to several members of an African American community. Although it is not as big of a theme in the story, I found Hurtson's views and symbolism on presumably the history of African Americans an interesting theme in the story.

Even on the first page, I found what would presumably be imagery of the pursuit of African American, as Zora talks about Ships on the horizon that hold the dreams and wishes of people. Some of these ships "for some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out sight..." Although she may have meant for a different interpretation, one could see this as the history of the formers slaves before the American Civil War. The ships could be interpreted as freedom heading for some, specifically whites, while the others that see the ships on the horizon that never come to the shore are the slaves that desired their freedom, as it is in sight but so far away.

This however would not be the only image. Hurtson also uses mules doing labor on the farm as a reoccurring symbol throughout the story. She even at one points dedicates a chapter just on the story about a mule owned by of some of the characters. The mule, owned by Sam and Joe, is commented by them as being worked so hard and thin that the ribs could be used as a washboard. Eventually the mule escapes and is captured again by the characters but it puts up a stubborn fight even though it is not as strong as the people. Eventually after being captured the mule dies and the characters, out of sympathy, decide to give the mule a funeral.

The mule in this chapter can be interpreted as slaves being almost worked to their death, as it is so weak and undernourished. The escape of the mule could symbolize the freeing of the slaves after the Civil War, as the slaves experience a brief period of freedom. But when the mule is recaptured by the characters, one could interpret this as the period of segregation in most areas. When the mule dies and the characters decide to give it a funeral, one interpret this as the future, as African American's gain the feelings of some of their oppressors, even perhaps ending segregation.

Hurston's imagery on race can be seen in multiple ways in this novel. I found it particularly interesting in how she does such, especially in the chapter relating to the mule. And although she may have had other intentions in mind, she does a good job in my opinion.

Manhood of the Sun also Rises

Recently, I had the chance to read Ernest Hemingway's The Sun also Rises. The book was particularly interesting and I enjoyed reading about the tales of Jake and his relationship with friends and loved ones. One of the central themes of the book however I found particularly interesting was the theme of Jake and his "manhood."

Jake is a World War I veteran and when he returned from the front, he was both physically and mentally scarred from the war, so much so that it affected his personality. Such can even be seen in simple conversations such as when he goes to get a drink in Paris and the waiter questions if he should be doing such. Jake's reaction is that "he's sick" which prompts the waiter to say that everyone is sick. However, when you take into account what Jake has been through, one can say that he's "sicker than most people." Seeing fellow soldiers being lost in the war, or going through the devastation of the attack may have impacted Jake's mentality, traumatizing him and actually making him lose manhood. War is typically portrayed as a man's thing to do, when Jake however returns with negatives thoughts on it, in a sense he's lost some of the manliness that he started out with.

In addition to the mental effects from the events of the war, there are also the mental effects Jake suffered from the physical damage he sustained. Although it is not that clearly explained, Jake is wounded during battle and he is unable to properly have sex again. Not only would damage one's pride as a man, but it would also other negative effects, in which Hemingway goes into. During the course of the story, Jake has romantic feelings for a woman, Brett, who helped recover from his physical wounds. However, this relationship is strained because wants to be in a relationship with Jake and perform sexual acts with him. Jake however knows he is unable to do such and some points in the story has moments where he just lies in bed crying to himself, because he is unable to have a full relationship with Brett. Because he is also unable to have a full relationship with Brett, Jake feels depressed and even saddened that he cannot reach a full relationship with one he loves.

In the end however, it is implied through the events of the story that Jake comes to terms with who he is now. He begins to continue living life as did as Brett moves on to find another lover, who she eventually breaks up with. Jake however meets up with Brett again, as friends, and they discuss how things might have turned out if Jake could have fulfilled a relationship with her.

It is these kinds of thoughts that Hemingway builds on that makes a person question their gender role. As Hemingway shows, there is clearly more than just physical attributes that make up one's gender.