Estimated Time: 45 minutes

1. What passages did you choose from each chapter and why?
2. The opening line of this book is, "All this happened, more or less." What do you think is the significance of this? What is Vonnegut trying to say?
3. Why did Vonnegut call his main character Billy Pilgrim?
4. What does Vonnegut mean when he says he and his wife had "baby fat?"
5. "The little girls were wearing white party dresses and black party shoes, so strangers would know at once how nice they were." What is Vonnegut saying?
6. What do you think of the advice that Vonnegut has given his sons in chapter 1?
7. In chapter 2, the narrator shifts to Billy Pilgrim. Describe him.
8. As the story is jumping around, what are some of the significant events in Billy's life?
9. You should have already noticed the motif, "So it goes." What is the significance of this phrase?

Freewriting

After you have pondered and discussed these questions with your teacher, choose one to complete a freewrite. If you are unfamiliar with freewriting, here are a few tips:

• Keep your pencil moving. Don’t stop. Just brain dump onto your paper.
• Have a set amount of time. Set a timer and write for the full amount of time.
• Ignore all grammar and spelling. Don’t let editing slow down the process. The goal is to get thoughts on paper. Spelling and grammar are not important in this instance.
• Pen and paper aren’t the only ways to freewrite. Feel free to type on the computer. Not only does this accomplish the task, but it builds typing skills.

Share your freewrite in the comments below.