Slaughterhouse Five
Kurt Vonnegut
Billy is constantly time-traveling, but he has to be time traveling from some location. Upon first thought, i would say Billy is located in the war. He is usually referring back to the war after and before other time-traveling experiences. However, the war was early in his life, so how would he even have the concept of time travel if he hadn't come across the Tralfamadorians?!This is why Billy has to be on Tralfamadore during all his time-travels. This is proven when "He traveled in time back to Tralfamadore. 'Time-traveling again?' said Montana" (Vonnegut 207). If Billy had time traveled enough for (I suppose his temporary wife) Montana to notice, then that would suggest he had been traveling frequently through time while on the planet. If Billy is actually on Tralfamadore, this can explain why he acts so Tralfamadorian. Being in contact with his captors while reliving his whole life through time-travel would have an effect on a person. Billy acts much less sad, and treats everything as if there is a higher purpose. For the recent time being, Tralfamadorian ideals are all Billy knows, so he believes his views are always right and is reserved and content when silly people think he is crazy.
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