The Enlightened Glass Slippers: The End of the Story and the Beginning of a New One

Slaughter-House Five
Kurt Vonnegut

                                          "Poo-tee-weet."

         
          Why is the world silent after war? Are we not brave enough to speak our minds? However, we are unafraid to kill thousands of people, and we feel powerful enough to destroy the world. Then again, at the end of the day we are cowards, we humans, are not able to accept or even recognize our own sins. Thats why we create an alternative reality, where we fantasize about the worlds flaws, where we believe we are"Pinochio," a real boy, but instead we are just wooden puppets. We are wooden dolls, not alive, not real. Billy Pilgrim finds himself in the Russian imprisonment hospital, where he enjoys hiding within Cinderella slippers. Through the eyes of Billy, the rooms of the jail are decorated with golden thrones, ravishing pink curtains, blue-fairy godmothers, and a pair of authentic glass slippers. However, the world outside is full of murder, disgustful crimes, and sorrow. It is not worse out there than in the hospital. The American soldiers are equally week, depressed and deadly, than the one's outside. The only difference between the outside world and the hospital, is that in the hospital soldiers such as Billy Pilgrim, choose to become Cinderella. As this protagonist tries on his pair of glass slippers, he discovers they fit perfectly." Billy Pilgrim was Cinderella, and Cinderella was Billy Pilgrim." (pg.275)

           The story of Cinderella is about a girl who became enslaved by her stepmother. Throughout many years, Cinderella lived with her animal friends, these imaginary creatures were the reason Cinderella got up of bed everyday. However, when the time came for the kingdom's prince to choose a wife at a ball, a fairy godmother appeared and granted Cinderella a carriage, and a dress for the big event, only until midnight. One of her glass slippers was left behind in the palace, as well as an in-loved prince. When the prince searched for the lady who's feet matched the slippers, Cinderella proved she was his love. And they lived happily ever after. So it goes.

         Billy Pilgrim believes he is Cinderella under his military uniform. He convinces himself the world will always have a happily ever after because it is impossible it does not end up this way. Do we not all try to cover our grieves and worries with fantastical reasons and stories? Are adults not always telling us to have a positive attitude, when we know their is nothing positive at all to extract from a situation? Our view of the world is vital for how we choose to live it. Are we going to avert the real world, or are we going to face the truth?

         Billy Pilgrim has taught me that you cannot take anything for granted. For the world is like a bipolar woman during her menopause. You never know what's going to happen, or when its going to happen.  Billy sends this message throughout the book, as an optometrist he attempts to "open" the eyes of his patients, he tries to help the world discover the truth about themselves, about Tralfamadorians.

          Well, as I say good bye to Billy Pilgrim and to Slaughter-House Five, my readers should always remember to become each day a little bit less closed-minded. For the world can surprise you, if you give it a chance, you might discover a new way of life. The truth of life. Do not be deceived by the pretty glass slippers, try on the boots, and they will never betray you. They will actually fit.

Become unstuck.