Will For Billy

Will is a theme that remains undecided yet with a great importance in chapter 8. In previous chapters we see the Tralfamadorian’s point of view on will. When the German decided to attack the American for something he said also showed the dangers of not accepting responsibility for our own actions. Blaming destiny for everything we do can have gigantic consequences in what we do. Here, we see more of Billy´s and Montana´s life in Tralfamadore. Although they were happy living as happy as in earth they remain without freedom. Since the aliens gave Billy and his companion the closest environment to earth we can interpret this as Earth and the lifestyle Billy had as prison. He followed a similar routine to that on earth. Billy´s attitude towards his imprisonment supports the idea that he was already used to this. There is a particular quotation that shows the lack of freedom in Tralfamadore, maybe not directly for Billy but it still applies to humanity: “She meant that their keepers were making the electric clocks in the dome go fast, then slow, then fast again., and watching the little Earthling family through peepholes. There was a silver chain around Montana Wildhack's neck.” (74)

In this quotation we see the illusion of time as a way of entrapment. It supports the idea of Tralfamadorians that humans are not able to see the fourth dimension and because of this are trapped in it. The silver chain around Montana’s neck is important because it can be interpreted as the chains that all humans have around them. Whether it is society or time, it might have some good things that make it look silver but they will remain chains. The locket with the prayer is very interesting since it suggests that the answer to this isn't absolute. Through this prayer we see that it is a matter of the situation. If the situation allows it a person might be given a choice. When we talk about Billy´s kidnap by the Tralfamadorians it shows a situation in which there is no free will. It would be reasonable to conclude that the Tralfamadorians lack the wisdom to see the difference and assume all is predestined.