Revealing structure

"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." (76)

This is an excerpt of what the Tralfamadorians tell Billy Pilgrim of their books. They explain how they are structured as clumps of brief messages that do not have to be read in any necessary order. Vonnegut is essentially revealing the reasoning behind the structure of his book. He implies that the reader should interpret it based on the whole experience, the big picture rather than each individual event or minute detail.

Vonnegut's compilation of multiple moments also reflects his hesitation or initial lack of confidence to write a novel about war. Flitting from moment to moment could either suggest that Vonnegut is recording whatever snippets he remembers as he recalls them. However, it could also suggest that he is unable to elaborate on one point for too long a time. By suggesting that he is mirroring the Tralfamadorian style of "deep" writing, Vonnegut is simultaneously suggesting that is how he shows depth. Due to the widespread popularity of Slaughterhouse Five, I think most of the world agrees that his unusual layout worked for him.

-Madhu Singh