In our first class discussion of Slaugherhouse-Five we explicated the novel’s three titles and their relationship to Vonnegut’s writing style and political opinions. Vonnegut exemplifies the idea that all art is necessarily political, so every aspect of his text serves to push against nationalistic and hegemonic norms. Mary O’Hare, the wife of Vonnegut’s war buddy, suggests the secondary title The Children’s Crusade in order to focus his work around the real and terrible experiences of the young boys who suffered under the guise of American ideals. During discussion, someone (Mr. Mitchell?) mentioned that Vonnegut’s conscious inclusion of a woman’s perspective on war exposes another side to the great WW2 narrative we expect. The kinds of John Wayne war movies that Vonnegut despises are centered around men, masculinity, and dramatized violence. Mary’s reminder that wars are fought by children refutes all the glorified portrayals of war perpetuated by blockbuster movies and patriotic n...