In Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter House Five, "thoughtful laughter" is presented to the reader to create an entertaining scene but also make the reader meditate on the thought that there is more to the laughter than just a joke. The laughter is presented so the reader will wander if there is a connection between the joke, of Vonnegut's weak character and the savage war he is in, and the main character of the novel, Billy Pilgrim. The joke is that Billy survives the war because of his fear and weaknesses.George Meredith states, "[t]he true test of comedy is that is shall awaken thoughtful laughter"(31). There are jokes made about Billy that show his weakness in character. The jokes degrade Billy because they are reflecting Billy's weakness in war. He hates the war and is scared of it. Billy's comic relief gives him a relief from the war so he will not fall completely insane. The reader knows this is the only escape from the refuge of war and this is where "thoughtful laughter" plays a role. The reader must ask himself "is Billy really laughing, crying, terrified, or insane?" The reader must create some opinion of the work himself through his own conclusions and his own insights to the true feelings of fright and remorse the character experiences.In Slaughter House Five, Billy Pilgrim makes laughter with jokes to keep himself from going crazy but to the reader he might just be a cold hearted person. As the reader wanders about the "thoughtful laughter," he comes to believe Billy is truly scared a little crazy. Thoughtful laughter makes the reader think about the true meaning of the novel and the true feelings of the character....
