Chapter 4: Free Will

       Billy's thought of "free will" seems to be challenged by the Tralfamadorians, when the topic of "bugs in amber" is the center of discussion. The "bugs in amber" logic is we are trapped in the current moment, and there is nothing we can do about it. The Tralfamadorians have the belief that all moments have already happened, so they just accept their fate because they feel powerless in changing them. The Tralfamadorians state that they have only heard of "free will" on Earth even after visiting 31 other planets.

        Free will, a topic I have never put much thought into, is a controversial topic. My own personal definition of free will is the ability to make decisions by yourself and not being forced to do them. They are many different tasks, activities, and jobs that take this ability away. It may sound silly, but even little tasks like being forced to do the dishes takes away our free will.

        Throughout Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy loses his ability of free will. When Billy was younger, his father threw him in a pool trying to teach Billy how to swim. To his father's dismay, Billy enjoys the bottom of the pool more, but against Billy's free will, his father takes him out of the pool. Another example of Billy losing his ability of free will is being drafted and forced to fight in World War Two.

         Overall, I believe free will is something that does exist throughout life. Although it may seem nonexistence, free will is always there, but can be taken away for a given period of time.