If you could change something about the novel, what would it be? (Gynter)

Vonnegut’s novel is a classic. Very few people can produce such a powerful novel, with such a unique style of writing and timeless messages. However, If I was to change something about the novel is would be the way Vonnegut deals with the character of Edgar Derby. In the novel, Vonnegut makes a hero out of Derby, a middle aged teacher has pulled strings to be able to fight in the war because he couldn't just let his young students go off to battle without himself also fighting. A man of courage, integrity, and character, he is the only American soldier brave enough to stand up to the traitor and hateful Nazi Howard W. Campbell Jr., and defend American ideals. Nevertheless, every time Vonnegut mentions Edgar Derby, he brings up the fact that he will be shot for the petty theft of some teapots after that bombing of Dresden. By constantly doing this, Vonnegut is exposing the reader to the senseless atrocities committed in wartime, and most importantly, he seems to be building up or preparing the reader for what seems to be the climax of the book (even though we know what will happen). Even though in non-linear novels the reader already knows what will happen as the story progresses, what makes them work is that throughout the book, there is an emotion or theme that becomes realized at the climax. Vonnegut seems to be building the emotion of empathy for the tragic story of Edgar Derby by constantly making mention of his unfortunate death, setting up for what seems to be a very crucial part of the book and an emotional climax. However, after Dresden has been bombed in the plot, and the plot progresses to the point where Derby is to be killed, Vonnegut makes a very brief mention of the event. To me as a reader, this is a huge letdown because I was so emotionally invested in Derby. I was expecting Vonnegut to reveal some new type of information or shocking detail about Derby’s death. I wanted him to go more in depth and reveal new information such as who shot him, where he got shot, what his last dying words were etc... Instead of doing this, he almost completely skips over the event that he got the reader so interested in. If I was Vonnegut and I had a chance to rewrite the book, I would use supreme literary skills to describe the events of Derby’s death in much more detail. I would make it seem so tragic that it would make the reader cry.