Slaughterhouse-Five | Ch. 2.1 - Billy Pilgrim Comes Unstuck in Time

Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

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In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan delve into the mind-bending world of Chapter 2.1 of Slaughterhouse-Five, where Billy Pilgrim finds himself “unstuck in time.” From abrupt visits to moments spanning his life to peculiar intergalactic encounters, listeners are pulled through Billy's unique perception of time and space. Jennifer and Dan ponder the surreal concept of life on Tralfamadore, where aliens see time as one continuous moment, and wonder how Billy’s newfound understanding will affect his Earthly life—and his optometry practice. Expect discussions on everything from toilet plungers to space zoos in this multidimensional adventure.

Things to Listen For:

• A debate over Billy’s “unstuck in time” state—is it time travel or existential whiplash?
• Dan and Jennifer’s attempt to pronounce “Tralfamadore” (and other alien vocab)!
• Speculation on what the Tralfamadorians might have in common with household items.
• Jennifer’s take on why optometrists should be the ones prescribing “soul lenses” for Earthlings.
• The first appearance of Billy’s famous catchphrase, “So it goes.”

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Disclaimer:
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment in accordance with fair use guidelines. Excerpts from Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut are shared to provoke thought and discussion on literature, censorship, and societal issues. We claim no ownership of the original work, and all rights remain with Kurt Vonnegut’s estate. We encourage listeners to purchase a copy of the book to fully appreciate it in its original form.

Topics Covered:
time travel, Tralfamadore, banned books, World War II, existentialism, aliens, censorship, Kurt Vonnegut, Billy Pilgrim, “so it goes”