I learn the most from Vonnegut

Enter the word of satire and wit. In Slaughter House Five, each page brings a laugh and, sometimes, a rather confused look. When I first thought about my question I had difficulty answering it because of the jumbled nature of the novel.
Yet, I think that Vonnegut, in his way, does answer the question. At the end of the novel he states, "If what Billy Pilgrim learned from the Tralfamadorians is true... I am not overjoyed"(211). We are not meant to look at just the pleasant, not just within life, but within ourselves. This life is not the time, or place, to just view the positive and beautiful moments. It's only life if we look at both.
In the same manner, we have to look at both sides of our nature. It is not enough to say, "well, I'm a horrible person, can't change it, so it goes". The way to live is to acknowledge that yes, there is war, and pain, and things won't make sense. Children will always be sent off to war, everyone's lives are touched by that, mine in particular. It's heart-wrentching to watch your brother go off to boot camp and possibly, over seas. Yet, this will never change. Instead of looking at the hurt, pain, and corruption humans create, view the good. Focus on the relationships, change things like Billy was so unwilling to do, do not float along and simply "close [your] eyes" and drift to another time. Use the immense potentials that humans have for good to make a difference and be present in the moment. Because, right here, right now, that's all you can do.

Dearly Beloved...

This novel is so interesting to dive into with so many different characters to look at. The novel as a whole deals with the question of personal contradictions. Sethe is the character that I would like to focus on to further investigate. At the beginning of the novel she is obviously dealing with some very serious issues from her past. Paul D is able to observe the changes that have occurred since Sethe killed her daughter. She eventually does come to terms with her past actions only after being able to observe their direct influence on the present when Beloved arrives. By being able to hear that someone cares for her and eventually see her self worth she manages to reconcile with her past.

Denver also deals with the good and bad within herself by separating herself from Sethe and Beloved when they become interested in only each other. She denies herself the earlier addiction that she had to Beloved's attention by seeing the harm it is causing her mother. Denver is able to force down the "evil" or darker side of her nature and confront Beloved and make a choice that will further her future.

Overall Morrison uses the character's love of others as a way for them to counteract the darkness that they find hidden within themselves. Even if they must first embrace the darkness to overcome it, they ultimately manage that act of defiance.

Things get a little Stranger

            I’m really struggling to answer my question with The Stranger. The novel itself is very lacking in emotion. Meursault simply ignores his vices as well as his virtues. His detachment from others emotions and his own leave him helpless. He leaves very little room to analyze how he deals with contradiction in himself that he doesn’t even realize are there.