"The window reflected the news. It was about power and sports and anger and death." (pg. 200)
I think this quote perfectly sums up the theme of the novel, that modern society trivializes and glorifies blood and war. I think the author was particularly upset that we are not told accurate information, and the information that we are told is often in order for someone to make a profit. Towards the end of the book, Billy sees a shop advertising things about vicious competition, greed, and death. This obvious display of desensitization shows the reader that the author feels that war is not portrayed as the grim, personal "massacre" it is.
I know several authors have also written about this flaw in society. Some comment on it while others try and inspire a change. So far, similar works are "The Lottery," the poem we read early on this year, and probably a very popular example, the "Hunger Games" trilogy. Having only read the first one, I can still say they are based on a competition of ill-equipped soldiers (sort of like Billy) who fight to the death for no reason but to survive. This savage competition mirrors the unhealthy attitude of our media seen in Vonnegut's novel: glorifying war on TV, in video games, or movies.
May the odds be ever in your favor. And if they're not, so it goes.
I think this quote perfectly sums up the theme of the novel, that modern society trivializes and glorifies blood and war. I think the author was particularly upset that we are not told accurate information, and the information that we are told is often in order for someone to make a profit. Towards the end of the book, Billy sees a shop advertising things about vicious competition, greed, and death. This obvious display of desensitization shows the reader that the author feels that war is not portrayed as the grim, personal "massacre" it is.
I know several authors have also written about this flaw in society. Some comment on it while others try and inspire a change. So far, similar works are "The Lottery," the poem we read early on this year, and probably a very popular example, the "Hunger Games" trilogy. Having only read the first one, I can still say they are based on a competition of ill-equipped soldiers (sort of like Billy) who fight to the death for no reason but to survive. This savage competition mirrors the unhealthy attitude of our media seen in Vonnegut's novel: glorifying war on TV, in video games, or movies.
May the odds be ever in your favor. And if they're not, so it goes.
That quote does sum up the theme really well. The whole book makes the war seem so unnecessary and dumb, even though we know it was fought for a good reason. Just like in The Hunger Games, all of the killing is put in perspective when faces and names are put with the victims. Especially really attractive faces and names like Peeta and Gale :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. People at home often have no idea of what war is actually like. It is glorified in video games and movies when in fact the harsh reality of war is not accurately portrayed. Plus I like how you tied in the Hunger Games.
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