There is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre. Everybody is supposed to be dead, to never say anything or want anything ever again. Everything is supposed to be very quiet after a massacre, and it always is, except for the birds. And what do the birds say? All there is to say about a massacre, things like, Poo-tee-weet?
In "Slaughterhouse-Five," Kurt Vonnegut Jr. reflects on the profound silence that follows a massacre, emphasizing that it silences voices and desires of the deceased. The aftermath is expected to be filled with a pervasive quietness, representing the weight of loss and tragedy. However, despite this stillness, nature continues, with birds chirping as a stark contrast to human suffering.
The quote encapsulates the futility of trying to articulate the horror of such events, suggesting that profound tragedy leaves us speechless. The phrase “Poo-tee-weet” symbolizes the simple and sometimes absurd persistence of life amid devastation, indicating that while humanity may struggle to find meaning, nature’s indifference carries on.
