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Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives •New Historicism •Mythological/Archetypal

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Page 1: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Slaughterhouse-Fiveby Kurt Vonnegut

IB English IV HL (2013-14)Critical Perspectives

•New Historicism•Mythological/Archetypal

Page 2: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Bell work for Monday, August 12

Write at least one paragraph responding to these questions:

What is the overall effect of the disjointed time sequence in Slaughterhouse-Five?

What (if anything) would the story have gained if it had been told in a more conventional (i.e. linear) fashion?

What (if anything) would have been lost if the story had been told chronologically?

Page 3: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Bell work for Wednesday, August 14 Write at least one paragraph responding to

this question:

Why do you think the book’s subtitle is The Children’s Crusade?

Page 4: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

“Jigsaw” Activity forCharacter Analysis in Slaughterhouse-Five

Part 1

• Create your personal written response to the question in as much detail as possible.

Page 5: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

“Jigsaw” Activity forCharacter Analysis in Slaughterhouse-Five

Part 2

• Form a group with others who have your same question number.

• Compare and contrast your answers. • Take written notes by adding the responses of

other group members to your original written responses.

• When you are finished, every member of your group should have detailed notes on your question.

Page 6: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

“Jigsaw” Activity forCharacter Analysis in Slaughterhouse-Five

Part 3• Re-form into new groups -- A, B and C – using the

letter on your original question.• Whoever has notes on Question 1 will first read the

question to the group, and then will “teach” question 1 to the group by sharing and explaining all the notes. Meanwhile, group members who worked on Questions 2 & 3 will take notes.

• Then do the same for Questions 2 and 3.

When you are finished, everyone should have a complete set of notes for all 3 questions!

Then select a spokesman from your group to report your final results to the class.

Page 7: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

New Historicism

A common tendency in the study of literature written or set in past/foreign cultures is to assume that there is a direct connection between the culture as presented and the way the culture really was.

The school of literary criticism known as “New Historicism” asserts that such a comparison is impossible, for two reasons:

Page 8: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

New Historicism

First, the “truth” of a foreign or past culture can never be known or established as unchangeable.

At best, the “truth” is a matter of interpretation on the part of both the writer and the reader.

This is most obviously evident in the fact that the “losers” of history hardly ever have a voice because only the more powerful cultures have the resources to record their history.

Page 9: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

New Historicism

Who really knows the whole Nazi story?

Or the Iraqui story?

New Historicism argues that these unknown histories are just as significant as the histories of the dominant cultures, and should be included in any world view.

But since they often contradict “traditional” (i.e. the winner’s) history, there is no way to know the ironclad truth.

Page 10: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

New Historicism

Second, while the text under consideration reflects the culture in which it was written, it also participates in that same culture.

In other words, its existence changes the culture that it reflects.

Literature and culture are interdependent; each helps to create the other. For example, To Kill A Mockingbird not only reflects the culture of the South in the mid-20th century, it also helps to raise awareness of and change some elements of that culture.

Page 11: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

“Wailing Shall Be in All Streets”

Refer to the article by Kurt Vonnegut entitled “Wailing Shall Be in All Streets” in answering these questions:

Page 12: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

“Wailing Shall Be in All Streets”

• What was happening in the world at the time Slaughterhouse-Five was written? What was occurring during the time in which the story is set?

• What were some major controversies during the time the book was written, and when it is set?

• How does this article affect your understanding and interpretation of the novel?

• In considering this novel, to what degree do you agree or disagree with the claims that “truth is a matter of interpretation” and “the text changes the culture it represents.”

Page 13: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Bell workFriday, August 16

Write at least one paragraph responding to this question:

How are Dresden and Tralfamadore two versions of the Garden of Eden?

Page 14: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Mythological/Archetypal Approach

Mythological, archetypal and psychological criticism are all closely related. This is mainly because Freud formulated many theories around the idea of the social archetype. His pupil Carl Jung expanded and refined Freud’s theories into a cross-cultural philosophy.

Critics who examine texts from a mythological/archetypal standpoint are looking for symbols.

Page 15: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Mythological/Archetypal Approach

Jung said that an archetype is “a figure … that repeats itself in the course of history wherever creative fantasy is manifested.”

He believed that human beings are born innately knowing certain archetypes, pointing to the fact that some myths are repeated throughout history by cultures that could not possibly have come into contact with each other. Many stories in Greek and Roman mythology have counterparts in Chinese and Celtic mythology, for example.

Page 16: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Mythological/Archetypal Approach

When reading a book looking for archetypes or myths, critics look for very general recurring themes, characters and situations.

Modern filmmakers use these same archetypes in making movies. By drawing on those feelings, thoughts, concerns and issues that have been part of the human condition in every generation, modern writers allow their readers to know the characters in a work with little or no explanation.

Page 17: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Mythological/Archetypal Approach

Three main points of study:

• archetypal characters• archetypal images• archetypal situation

Page 18: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

• HEROa larger-than-life figure whose search for self-identity results in his own destruction (often accompanied by the destruction of the society around him). In the aftermath of the death of the hero, there is usually progress toward some ideal.

Page 19: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

Variations of the HERO include:• the “orphaned” prince, or the lost chieftain’s

son raised ignorant of his own heritage.• the scapegoat, an innocent character on whom a

situation is blamed, or who assumes the blame for a situation, thus removing guilt from the culprit and society.

Page 20: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

• the loner or outcast, a character who is separated from society due to a physical impairment or and emotional/psychological realization that makes him different. Often the hero is an outcast at some point.

Two common variations of the loner are:• The underdog, a smaller, weaker character who

usually emerges victorious at the end of the story• The guilt-ridden figure in search of redemption

Page 21: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

• VILLAINMale or female personification of evil; often their malice is unmotivated, or motivated by a perceived wrong from the past.

• Variations on the VILLAIN include the “mad scientist” and the bully.

Page 22: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

• TEMPTRESSA female who uses a male character’s desires as a means of his destruction.

• EARTH MOTHER / GODDESSMother Nature, Mother Earth – the nurturing, life-giving aspects of femininity

• SPIRIT or INTELLECTThe inspiration for works of art or literature; often unidentified.

Page 23: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Characters

• SAGEUsually an elderly wise man; a teacher or mentor.

Variations of the SAGE include:• The oracle, or prophet (male or female)• A stern but loving authority figure• A wise woman / witch

Page 24: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Images

Colors• Red = blood, anger, passion, violence• Gold = greatness, value, wealth• Green = fertility, luxury, growth• Blue = sky, Godliness, holiness, peace, serenity• White = purity

Page 25: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Images

Numbers• 3 = Christian Trinity• 4 = the seasons; the four ancient elements

(earth, air, water, fire)• 12 = the months of the solar year

Water – the source of life and sustenance; cleansing; purification; baptism

Fire – ambiguously both protection and destruction; knowledge; industry

Page 26: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Images

Geometric ShapesTriangle = the TrinityCircle = perfection, eternity, wholeness

CavesThe womb (source of life); the grave (entrance to the

underworld); the unexplored regions of the human soul

Yin and YangAny pairs of opposites that complement each other;

balance; harmony

Page 27: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Situations

QuestThe hero attempts to establish his identity of fulfill his

destiny.

Variations of the QUEST include:• Selling one’s soul to the devil (Faust)• The pursuit of revenge• Descending into the Underworld

Page 28: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Situations

Renewal of LifeDeath and rebirth; resurrection as seen in the cycle of the seasons or the phases of the day (Sleeping Beauty)

InitiationComing of age; rites of passage (the first hunt; weddings; teen angst films)

The FallAny event that marks the loss of innocence.

Page 29: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Situations

Redemptive SacrificeAny voluntary loss, especially the loss of life, that results in another person’s gaining or regaining a desired state.

Catalog of Difficult TasksThe Labors of Hercules.

The End of the WorldWarfare; a large battle; a metaphoric fight between good and evil; Armageddon; the Great Flood.

Page 30: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Archetypal Interpretation

How does Slaughterhouse-Five fit the pattern of the “Hero’s Journey?”

Page 31: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut IB English IV HL (2013-14) Critical Perspectives New Historicism Mythological/Archetypal

Questions

1. Examine the characters of Billy Pilgrim, Paul Lazzaro, Edgar Derby and Montana Wildhack and their situations. What archetypes can you recognize in these characters?

2. How does the Tralfamadorian notion of time—especially their knowledge of how the Universe ends– suggest a mythic reading of the novel?

3. Which myths seem to be at work in different parts of the novel? Which features of the story (plot, character development, setting, etc.) remind you of other stories you know?