In the novel Slaughter House-Five, Kurt Vonnegut challenges the thinking of American society by incorporating the satirical element of materialism and the worship of objects as an inadequate source of meaning for life. The theme of materialism often comes up in the text and can be interpreted as a delightful life purpose for many characters who are commonly all corrupt and discontented. Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran who was in the city of Dresden when the destruction of Dresden occurred, seems to have a different view on how life is structured and what really matters. Although, like most of the other characters, Billy himself is also ridiculed by Vonnegut's subtle satire on materialism. After the war Billy is an optometrist and lives quite comfortably in a Georgian house in Ilium. Residing in the city of Ilium, where the General Forge and Foundry Company is located, safety glasses are in high demand and Billy says, "Frames are where the money is" (Vonnegut 24) referring to how the profession can bring in an income high. Talking about the optometry business in general, it generates good revenue because when patients get glasses, the tendency of their vision to fluctuate increases and you have to keep going back to get new frames with your new prescription. This also refers to the materialistic aspect and the fact that some individuals always have to have the newest, in this sense referring to the newest frames. He earned more than sixty thousand dollars a year, gave his wife elegant gifts, and drove a Cadillac. Despite having all these possessions, “Billy's house was empty” (Vonnegut 61). Materialistic addictions are a distraction from compassionate ideals that focus more on the social aspects of the relationship... middle of the paper... are sometimes quite cheap, usually contain commercial and mass-produced items that are not unique and anyone can have them . From worthless objects people can construct a value that essentially covers the underlying problem but finding satisfaction in that illogical idea gives them a comfort zone for a limited period of time until they find a better object to place their importance on. This phenomenon itself creates a pursuit, a run-up to the eternal circle of materialism. The distinct object to grasp is then given to Billy and he too tries to derive a life purpose from it. “And the crucifix went up on Billy Pilgrim's wall” (Vonnegut 39) Even though it had a precious meaning to Bill's mother, she does not retain it. Billy doesn't care much because he's not that religious and this object that once mattered so much has become a piece of waste.