On the Postmodern Narrative Techniques in Slaughterhouse-Five

Abstract

Kurt Vonnegut is admitted as a great master of postmodern writer. Vonnegut’s success is mainly attributed to his unique narrative approaches, various expressive methods and dramatic artistic effects. The application of metafiction is particularly obvious and significant in his novels. Slaughterhouse-Five is one of typical examples of the successful adoption of metafiction. The metafiction of Vonnegut’s style, applied in Slaughterhouse-Five, shows itself in three distinctive approaches—non-linear narrative, collage and parody. Based on postmodern narrative theory, the application of these three distinctive narrative techniques will be analyzed in details in this thesis. The analysis mainly includes the reasons why they are applied in the novel and the functions how they work. The paper is mainly divided into five parts. Relevant information of Vonnegut, postmodern metafiction and previous researches are introduced in the first chapter. After getting better acquainted with basic knowledge, three narrative methods of Vonnegut’s metafiction including non-linear narrative, collage and parody are separately and detailedly analyzed in the following three chapters. Every method applied in the novel deepens the anti-war theme, and then exposes war’s evilness and absurdity further. Finally, the last part is a conclusion which is an emphasis on effects of Vonnegut’s unique narrative techniques.