Chapter 2: Imagery

"The letter said that they were two feet high, and green, and shaped like plumber's friends. Their suction cups were on the ground and their shafts, which were extremely flexible, usually pointed to the sky. At the top of each shaft was a little hand with a green eye in its palm."

     Throughout chapter 2 Vonnegut vividly describes several characters and places. His creative description of a Tralfamadorian creates an image easily understood by most readers. Comparing the Tralfamadorian to a "...plumber's friend," he automatically presents the reader with an image. As he elaborates on the specifics of these creatures the reader is able to imagine them with,"Their suction cups on the ground and their shafts, which were extremely flexible, pointing to the sky." With a basic shape Vonnegut adds details such as a hand imbedded with an eye on top as well as the creature being green. Vonnegut elaborates on the forest in Germany as well as Billy Pilgrim, the two scouts, and Weary in the same way, presenting the reader with familiar object, gradually adding finer details. This simple way of creating vivid images introduces the reader to the characters and settings, easily allowing them to become submerged in the world of Vonnegut.