As mentioned in chapter one,
Slaughterhouse Five ends with a bird saying to Billy Pilgrim, "'
Poo-tee-weet?'". This example of
onomatopoeia connects the novel to its beginning. In Mr. Milroy's Speech class last year, I learned that a technique of good speaking is to create unity by mentioning an element from the opening of the speech at the conclusion of it. Vonnegut uses this techinique so that the reader will remember the beginning and the purpose for his writing of the book. Additionally, Vonnegut may have used this techinque in order to symbolize the passage of time. I am reminded of a circle by this technique; therefore, Vonnegut wanted to the reader to realize that life is a cycle. As a part of this cycle, death occurs, and new life begins. This theme is constantly reiterated by the use of the phrase "So it goes.". Hence, Vonnegut wanted the readers to take away the fact that life is a connected circle which includes the reality of death.
I also used this example in my own blog. In my opinion it is the best example of onomatopoeia in the book.
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