Throughout this book we have seen many obvious examples of repetition. Phrases such as "so it goes", "poo-tee-weet", and "blue and ivory" arise throughout our reading of the novel. Some of the repetition is used more frequently: such as "so it goes". Others, however, are seldom used; therefore their appearance catches the attention of a reader. The references to Adam and Eve are a clear example of this.
Adam and Eve, if you're not already aware, is a biblical story of God's two first created people. In short, Adam and Eve were forbidden by God to eat the fruit that grew from the Tree of Knowledge. However, despite his commands, they followed a snake's advice and consumed the fruit. Their wrong doing lead Adam to a life of work, as well as cursed the pain of childbirth upon Eve. This tale consists of those who were once innocent, but strayed, which lead them to punishment.
This Adam and Eve reference was brought about two distinct times in Slaughterhouse-Five. Once when we were introduced to the "gold cavalry boots" of a corporal. Soon after we were told that "if you look in [the golden boots] deeply enough, you'll see Adam and Eve" (53). The second reference was when Billy Pilgrim got "slightly unstuck in time" (73) and saw a German fighter movie in reverse. He talks about all the people and how they grew into babies, and then had "conspired biologically to produce two perfect people named Adam and Eve, he supposed" (75).
If these situations even relate, how do they? Are there any other literary elements used here beside repetition (foreshadowing, metaphor etc.)? Do you think this could lead to a theme we will see later in the novel? Are there any other Adam and Eve references that you notice? Is the fact that this is a biblical story have any significance?
My first thoughts are that Adam and Eve are significant because of how they relate to time. Adam and Eve are the very beginning of time, and the most innocent, purest part of time. In Tralfamadorian philosophy, Adam and Eve would always exist somewhere in time, so innocence and purity would always exist somewhere as well. Maybe Billy finds that comforting when he is off at war where there isn't any innocence and beauty to be found.
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