Slaughterhouse-Five: Cinderelly

"The Blue Fairy Godmother was embarrassed, and angry, too.  "If I'd known  was fighting a chicken," he said, "I wouldn't have fought so hard."  (Slaughterhouse-Five p. 127)

Contrasting imagery adds to the irony of this novel.  In the excerpt above, an Englishman feels bad for beating up a malnourished American.  Later, he justifies his actions by calling Americans weak, dirty, and thieving.  For the time being, the Englishman feels remorse. 

A "Blue Fairy Godmother" contrasts greatly with the tough Englishman.  This defines the foreign soldiers as complex characters.  Although they are there to keep the camp running, they also have a soft side.  For example, this particular Englishman starred in the soldier's rendition of Cinderella as the fairy godmother.  This shows that war does not change the nature of humans; it only changes surface emotions and thinking.  Naturally, humans are not meant to be pitted against one another; however, war can change thinking.