Characterization in Chapter 2

Characterization is the process by which the writter reveals the personality, values, and quality of a character.

     In chapter two, we are introduced to a new character in the story, Billy Pilgrim.  As the protagonist in the story, chapter two reveals the the personality, values, and qualities of Billy.  The narative device Vonnegut uses, which reveals Billy to the readers through the times in his life spastically, allows the readers to draw conclusions and see Billy at different times in his life in the length of one chapter.

     Experiencing the different times in Billy's life separated by years, we see how the events define Billy.  We understand Billy moment by moment, event after event.  At the start of chapter two, it opens with a little introduction to the chapter.  Vonnegut informs the readers that "Billy is spastic in time, has no controll over where he is going next, and the trips aren't neccessarily fun.  He is in a constant stage of stage fright, he says, because he never knows what part of his life he is going to have to act in next."  By doing so, Vonnegut is in a way letting the readers know that he is going to jump around from time to time in Billy's life.  For example, after learning about Billy's mild nervous collapse, we are told that "He was treated in a veteran's hospital near Lake Placid, and was given shock treatments and released.  He married his fiancee, finished his education, and was set up in business in Illium by his father-in-law."  Vonnegut mentions his incident, then quickly skips to him getting released and marrying his fiancee, then getting a job! The man's whole life was basically put in one chapter. Impressive.