External Relationships In Slaughterhouse Five And The Time Traveler's Wife

The concept of time travel is quite abstract. Its mysteries and wonders are unfathomable to the average human to the point where it may leave one wondering how it works and even how it affects everyday life. Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five and Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife both depict two very different stories of men dealing with the burden of unmanageable time travel. Billy Pilgrim and Henry DeTamble demonstrate both negative and positive impacts that uncontrollable time travel has on external relationships. Both men experience difficulties with familial relationships; for Billy, it is with his daughter and for Henry, it is with his wife. In both cases, they are faced with conflicts from onlookers, whether it is WWII comrades or family friends. Aside from the negative impacts, Billy’s relationship with a lover is strengthened, as well as Henry’s with his daughter. A person's family can represent their strongest and most important relationships in their life. Billy Pilgrim’s family members definitely would have things to say about the way his behavior changes as he ages. Despite the fact that Pilgrim begins his travels as a young man, his family is not exposed to Billy’s experiences until he begins to share them with the whole world. In

Billy and Henry each show how their closest relationships suffer as a result of travelling through time without control. The difference between the two is the level of understanding or willingness to attempt to accept and overcome. Barbara Pilgrim refuses to give Billy the benefit of the doubt nor does she show effort to mend their connection. Contrary to this, Clare Abshire and Henry are both considerate of eachothers struggles and want nothing more than to be together despite the strain on their marriage. While both parties are dealing with a similar challenge, both are managing