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Captured by Germans
Billy and Weary were captured by the Germans after they were separated from the rest of their group because Billy was being stupid. But the rest of their squad was killed, and they were just taken as POWs, so the coincidence shows how rejecting something that seems stupid could be fatal, and it may not be that stupid at all. -
Bombing of Dresden
Billy Pilgrim was in Dresden when it was bombed, which causes him to have PTSD, the driving force of all the events and chaos in the novel. It is the reason he needs coping methods, such as the made up tralfamadorians and time travel to help him. His mental disorder is the reason that all the events in the story are out of order and it's why there is no real structure in the novel. -
Mental Hospital
This proves that Billy has numerous mental issues and gives background to his escape into science fiction as well as his problems and their severity. -
Dinner at the Pilgrim's
Billy has a hard time dealing with the reality that real lives can continue despite the fact that war exists. He is surrounded by people and things that scream war to him, but everyone continues to function normally. This causes him to panic and leave in a hurry. -
Barbara's Wedding/Billy's Abduction
The event that should've been very exciting and full of energy for Billy was nothing spectacular, as he knew exactly what was coming and is unattached to his family. Its intent is to show how much he ignores his family for his mental problems. His abduction really just overshadows his experience at his daughter's wedding. -
Tralfamadorian Zoo
This shows how the Tralfamadorians are curious about human activities, but the deeper meaning is that Billy needs an excuse to escape into his mind for an extended period of time. His affair with an attractive actress illustrates his mediocre relationship with Valencia. -
Trip to NYC
Billy leaves the zoo to visit NYC, where he tries to talk about his time travel on a radio show, but he is shooed away. He also visits an adult store, but he wants to look at the Kilgore Trout books, and the store hands tell him that he shouldn't look at them. This shows his desire to let the world know what is really wrong with him, but they just ignore him and expect him to behave normally. He goes back to the zoo in his mind, the only place he is understood. -
Plane crash
This event is significant because it illustrates how death is the great equalizer and that it doesn't discriminate. All the people on the plane died except Billy and the co-pilot, and there were some important people on the plane, like doctors and Valencia's father. It goes to show that no matter how smart someone is or how great their life is, they cannot escape death and that some of the least important people live against all odds. -
Valencia's Death
Billy is surrounded by death all throughout the novel, so when his wife dies, it is used as a chance to show how normal it has become for him. He is relatively unphased by her passing and just says, "so it goes," like always. It also serves as characterization for her, as the reason she died was because she was in a panic and worried that she may lose the husband she was lucky to have in the first place. -
Billy's Death
Billy was assassinated with a laser gun at a large conference where he was speaking about flying saucers and time travel. He knew it was his time to die, but he didn't really become upset because he knew that he would only be dead for that moment.
