1. Fragmentation and Non-Linear Narrative: The story jumps around in time, defying conventional chronology. This fragmented structure reflects the chaotic and disorienting nature of war and the protagonist's mental state.
2. Unreliable Narrator: Billy Pilgrim, the protagonist, is deeply traumatized by the Dresden bombing and experiences time travel, making his perception of events subjective and unreliable. This challenges the reader's trust in the narrative and the notion of a single, objective truth.
3. Metafiction and Self-Awareness: Vonnegut frequently breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the reader and commenting on the act of writing itself. He also includes references to his own experiences in Dresden, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
4. Black Humor and Absurdism: The novel uses dark humor and absurdist elements to highlight the futility and absurdity of war. This approach challenges traditional notions of heroism and the meaning of life.
5. Rejection of Traditional Story Structures: The novel avoids a traditional plot structure with a clear beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Instead, it presents a fragmented, non-linear narrative that reflects the chaotic nature of the world.
6. Historical Revisionism: Vonnegut reinterprets historical events, like the Dresden bombing, by questioning official narratives and offering alternative perspectives. This challenges historical objectivity and encourages critical thinking.
7. Anti-War Themes: The novel critiques the horrors of war and the dehumanizing effects of violence. It questions the logic and morality of war, ultimately presenting a pessimistic view of human nature.
8. Existentialism: The novel explores themes of free will, determinism, and the meaninglessness of existence. Billy Pilgrim's experiences with time travel raise questions about the nature of time and our ability to control our own destinies.
These features combine to make Slaughterhouse-Five a hallmark of postmodern literature. It challenges traditional literary conventions and offers a fragmented and subjective perspective on war, history, and the human condition.