Slaughterhouse-Five | Ch. 1.1 - The Dresden “Duty Dance” Begins

Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

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Welcome to Season 7 of Banned Camp! Jennifer and Dan are back, diving into Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut—a novel that’s been banned, burned, and beloved since it first hit shelves. In Part 1 of Chapter 1, Julia Whitehead from the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library stops by with insights into the book’s turbulent history with censorship. From fires in North Dakota to free copies in Florida, Vonnegut’s story has faced it all. As Jennifer and Dan unpack the first pages, they try to make sense of the phrase “duty dance,” and Robot explains why Vonnegut compares Dresden to Dayton. Get ready for an exploration of why this darkly funny, deeply disturbing classic was seen as so dangerous.

Things To Listen For:

• Julia Whitehead explains the reasons Slaughterhouse-Five continues to be banned.
• Jennifer’s theories on “duty dance”—spoiler: Dan has thoughts.
• Robot’s explanation of how Dresden and Dayton are “practically twins.”
• Vonnegut’s use of “So it goes” as a reflection on life, death, and everything in between.

Special Shoutout - Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library!
Want to dive deeper into Vonnegut’s world? Check out the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library in Indianapolis. This unique space celebrates Vonnegut’s life, work, and advocacy for free expression, including their mission to send banned books like Slaughterhouse-Five to students across the country. If you’re ever in Indy, don’t miss this incredible museum!

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Disclaimer:
This podcast, Banned Camp, features readings and discussions of banned books for criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment in accordance with fair use guidelines. The material used from the book Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. We do not claim any ownership over the original work, and all copyrights remain with the original copyright holder. We strongly encourage listeners to purchase copies of the discussed works to appreciate them in their original context fully.

This podcast is not endorsed by Kurt Vonnegut, his estate, or the publishers of Slaughterhouse-Five. Any monetization of the podcast is separate and not derived directly from the copyrighted material discussed. Our intent is to engage in, promote, and support critical and educational discourse around these works within the framework of fair use.

Topics Covered:
Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five, censorship, book bans, Tralfamadorians, Dresden bombing, satire, aliens, war literature, Julia Whitehead, Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, Indiana, banned books, peace and war themes, duty dance.