Vonnegut Chapter 5

Within this chapter, Billy travels back to various times in his past. Vonnegut reveals certain information so that the reader understands Billy and his actions better. Billy goes back to a time where the tramalfadorians teach him of the seven diffrent sexes. This confuses Billy, but he does not question the subject any further.

"There isn't any particular relationship between the messages except that the author has chosen them carefully, so that, when seen all at once, they produce an image of life that is beautiful and surprising and deep. There is no beginning, no middle, no end, no suspense, no moral, no causes, no effects. What we love in our books are the depths of many marvelous moments seen all at one time." At this point, Billy has the Tralfamadorian novel explained to him. Vonnegut uses this as a model for the story. The irony of Vonnegut using this strategy, is that he, like Billy, also does not completely understand the ability to pick up and choose his moments.

Vonnegut later explains the reasons as to why he travels back in time. He shows certain passages of his life so that we understand the reasons why he does what he does.