ABSTRACT

Kurt Vonnegut, a world-renowned American black humorist, published his masterpiece Slaughterhouse-Five in 1969. This study is based on a detailed analysis of Slaughterhouse-Five and its relevant materials, and argues its style of black humor that shows the absurdity of this world in the depiction of protagonist Billy Pilgrim, in the presentation of fictitious themes and in the revelation of writing modes. This thesis studies Slaughterhouse-Five from the perspective of black humor, appreciates the absurdity of war and this world and analyzes the Tralfamadorian philosophy of time and space.

Keywords：Kurt Vonnegut; Slaughterhouse-Five; black humor; absurdity

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One  INTRUDCTION-1

1.1A Brief Introduction to Kurt Vonnegut and Slaughterhouse-Five-1

1.2 Literature Review-2

1.3 The Significance of This Thesis -4

Chapter Two BlACK HUMOR IN THE REPRESENTATION OF BILLY-6

2.1 Amusing Image-6

2.2 Multidimentional Personality-7

2.3 Ultimate Fate-8

Chapter There  BlACK HUMOR IN THE THEME-10

3.1 The Consistency of Anti-War-10

3.2 The Manner of Death-11

3.3 The Emergence of Absurdity-12

Chapter Four  BlACK HUMOR IN THE WRITING MODES-13

4.1 The Illogicality of Anti-narrative-14

4.2 The Novelty of Anti-hero-15

4.3 The Comedy of Anti-climax-16

Chapter Five  CONCLUSION-18

WORKS CITED-20