Slaughterhouse-Five Reading Schedule
Nov. 30
Dec. 1
Dec. 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Dec. 7
Dec. 8
Dec. 9
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Dec. 12
Chapter 9
Slaughterhouse-Five Essay Prompts
1) One definition of Madness is " mental delusion or the eccentric behavior arising from it." But Emily Dickinson wrote
“Much Madness is divinest Sense-/To a discerning Eye.”
Novelists and playwrights often see madness with a "discerning Eye." Select a novel or play in which a character's
apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an important role (Slaughter House Five, in this case). Then write a wellorganized essay in which you explain what this delusion or eccentric behavior consists of and how it might be judged
reasonable. Explain the significance of the "madness" to the work as a whole.
2)"The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter." - George Meredith
Choose a novel, play or long poem (Slaughterhouse Five in this case) in which a scene or character awakens "Thoughtful
Laughter" in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is "thoughtful" and how it contributes to
the meaning of the work.
3) A Critic has said that one important measure of a superior work of literature is its ability to produce in the reader a
healthy confusion of pleasure or disquietude. Write an essay in which you explain the sources of the pleasure and
disquietude" experienced by the readers of the work
4) In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Write
an essay in which you show how such a character functions in Slaughterhouse Five . You may wish to discuss how the
character affects action, theme, or the development of the other characters. Avoid plot summary.
5) Show how a literary work, a myth, a poem, another author, or a religious text from outside of a novel or play is used
by the author to enhance theme or character development.
6) What is Kurt Vonnegut ( Not Billy Pilgrim, Vonnegut, the author/narrator/minor character of the book) saying about
Obscenity Women Manliness Soldiers Free-will Humanity America England Religion Literature Death
Business Pick your own, but don’t pick “war” because he obviously loathes it.
7) Is the structure of this book meaningful? How?
8) What is Vonnegut’s purpose in using the Tralfamadorians?
9) Other than “So it Goes,” discuss the effect Vonnegut creates by using repetition.
10) Pick a single vignette or quote from the book and show how the work as a whole is crystallized in that one smaller
part.
11) Something something something postmodern.