Really? Vonnegut having bias in his writing? That's about as likely as him supporting the United States' interference in Libya. Vonnegut is one of the most straight-up, honest, and real writers I have read. He calls it how he sees it with his own eyes, not how he wants to see it. If he watched somebody punch another guy randomly, he won't make excuses for either side or explain the situation. No, guy A punched guy B, 'nuff said. That's one of the reasons why he didn't say much about Edgar Derby's shooting. The guy stole a cup and he got shot for it. 'Nuff said. Moving on. That gives me the impression that the Germans probably were decent captors.
Now, when you say "all things German," that includes everything from their army to their cities. Vonnegut comments that Dresden, before being bombed, looked like Oz. Haters would say that his view of Germany is positive, as shown by statements like these, but again, Vonnegut just thinks that Dresden looks nice and appealing. Relax America, he's on your side! Quit acting like that paranoid girlfriend just waiting for her partner to let something slightly off-putting slip.
Since Vonnegut identifies with American culture, fought for America, and considers himself American, wouldn't it make more sense for him to be praising the American army? Instead, he informs us about their poor outfits, weaponry, greed, and general filthiness. Again, this isn't because he is anti-American, he's just calling it like he sees it. There isn't much to complement in war, but the Germans' treatment towards him and their other prisoners is much more respectable than the Americans' treatment towards their own captives. Vonnegut knows this, so he points it out in the form of positive treatment of German guards towards Billy and company. A reader without much knowledge of Vonnegut as a person may think he does this to defend his German roots, however, we know who is he and what he stands for.
Do I think "that such attempts at assimilation and culture conformity are ever justifiable?" Hold up there, which attempts at assimilation or conformity? Maybe this is because I took a different stance than other people, but I don't think Vonnegut attempts to assimilate at all. He stands up for what he believes in, and he isn't one to try to appeal to others. Slaughterhouse Five was as controversial as any of the books we read this year, so clearly he doesn't care too much about the haters. What does Vonnegut have to say about those haters? He calls them preposterous, and thinks that "he or she is like a person who has put on full armour and attacked a hot fudge sundae."
He calls his own shots, and if that doesn't fit your agenda, than too bad for you. He took his time writing this novel, and he isn't trying to suck up to any of his readers. Like him or hate him, Vonnegut's got swag and his own agenda to follow. He's calling 'em how he sees 'em, and if you have a problem with that, put the book down!
In terms of his family, however, their assimilation was very justifiable. I would not never want to lose my own heritage and cultural beliefs, but Vonnegut's family come from a whole 'nother perspective. Their culture and nationality (German) was generally despised during the time of his childhood, mostly because of corrupt leadership, communism, and terrible foreign relationships. America was not very multicultural, either, and it would be hard for a known German supporter to find a good job, for healthy relationships with others, and not gain lots of enemies. Nowadays, on the other hand, one should be proud of their background, especially in a multicultural environment like Canada, and to a slightly lesser extent, the U.S. I don't agree with his family's actions, but I can see where they are coming from.
Now, when you say "all things German," that includes everything from their army to their cities. Vonnegut comments that Dresden, before being bombed, looked like Oz. Haters would say that his view of Germany is positive, as shown by statements like these, but again, Vonnegut just thinks that Dresden looks nice and appealing. Relax America, he's on your side! Quit acting like that paranoid girlfriend just waiting for her partner to let something slightly off-putting slip.
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| C'mon: haters, swag, reppin' where he came from...Vonnegut could pass as an African American rapper. |
Do I think "that such attempts at assimilation and culture conformity are ever justifiable?" Hold up there, which attempts at assimilation or conformity? Maybe this is because I took a different stance than other people, but I don't think Vonnegut attempts to assimilate at all. He stands up for what he believes in, and he isn't one to try to appeal to others. Slaughterhouse Five was as controversial as any of the books we read this year, so clearly he doesn't care too much about the haters. What does Vonnegut have to say about those haters? He calls them preposterous, and thinks that "he or she is like a person who has put on full armour and attacked a hot fudge sundae."
He calls his own shots, and if that doesn't fit your agenda, than too bad for you. He took his time writing this novel, and he isn't trying to suck up to any of his readers. Like him or hate him, Vonnegut's got swag and his own agenda to follow. He's calling 'em how he sees 'em, and if you have a problem with that, put the book down!
In terms of his family, however, their assimilation was very justifiable. I would not never want to lose my own heritage and cultural beliefs, but Vonnegut's family come from a whole 'nother perspective. Their culture and nationality (German) was generally despised during the time of his childhood, mostly because of corrupt leadership, communism, and terrible foreign relationships. America was not very multicultural, either, and it would be hard for a known German supporter to find a good job, for healthy relationships with others, and not gain lots of enemies. Nowadays, on the other hand, one should be proud of their background, especially in a multicultural environment like Canada, and to a slightly lesser extent, the U.S. I don't agree with his family's actions, but I can see where they are coming from.
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