Remember that this book was written DURING the Vietnam War, even though it is about WWII. The novel is actually one big political statement about war and suffering. In chapter 6, Vonnegut writes, "At the time of his death, he says, he is in Chicago to address a large crowd on the subject of flying saucers and the true nature of time. His home is still in Illium. He has had to cross three international boundaries in order to reach Chicago. The United States of America has been balkanized, has been divided into twenty petty nations so that it will never again be a threat to world peace. Chicago has been hydrogen-bombed by angry Chinamen. So it goes. It is all brand new" (142).
To what extent is this a blatant political statement about the United States and war? In other words, what is Vonnegut's views on the Vietnam War? Use your understanding of the way in which the Vietnam War was received by the USA public in the 60s and 70s to support your ideas.
To what extent is this a blatant political statement about the United States and war? In other words, what is Vonnegut's views on the Vietnam War? Use your understanding of the way in which the Vietnam War was received by the USA public in the 60s and 70s to support your ideas.