A Prisoner

The passages of chapter three are sprinkled with the phrase "so it goes". It demonstrates Billy Pilgrim's passive attitude. How he knows that these occurrences are out of his control, much like the quote in his optometry office says. "GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE..." The chapter skips around from moments he was captive in the war to moments that he was working as a successful optometrist with a comfortable living style. We also realize that the narrator  was also a prisoner of war, and actually crossed paths with Billy Pilgrim. This chapter is relatively grim, as he describes the troubles and pain of being a prisoner of war. 

         Ironically, when we are transported to the moments after the war, where he is a working optometrist, he also seems to be a prisoner. A prisoner of his own fate, unable to change any aspect of it. He addresses everything with a sense of disinterest and genuine carelessness. Although, he mentions his wealth and success, neither seems to bring him happiness. He also seems lonely and disconected from his surroundings. On the contrary, when he's under the control of the Germans, Billy describes things as "stingingly exciting" and the narrator says he "had smiles for them all". Although without doubt Billy was a suffering prisoner of War, he seems more lively and awake in this time. He might not have been happy per say, but he seems more intuitive then in later years. I feel sympathy for Billy Pilgrim, his state is truly endearing. It reminds me of those people who suffer from depression. A given event has caused them to become uninterested, good fortune may befall them, yet they hardly take note. They drift through life without much thought or emotion. Billy Pilgrim seems equally monotone and I feel for him. The war seems to have disconnected him from his surroundings, in much the same way as the time traveling has. I worry for him and hope that other moments in his life are more upbeat and joyous.