"A Bomb type Catharsis"

Billy is able to feel a bomb-type catharsis in chapter eight, he undergoes a purge of restrained feelings. This experience varies from the time travelling sort of idea the novel emphasizes constantly. Usually Billy journeys back in time to realize and show his emotions. In this case it is different, Billy remains in the present and is able to recall the past without time travelling. While listening to the “Febs” he remembers the facial expression of the german soldiers. It is important to note how vary distant things (four men singing and german soldiers) can be related and compared when one has an everlasting shock. We can recall that he, “Had supposed for years that he had no secrets from himself. Here was proof that he had a great big secret somewhere inside, and he could not image what it was.”(PDF) He always knew his emotions were reflected in the past, in the war. In this case “he did not travel in time to the experience. He remembered it shimmeringly.”(PDF) It was the crucial twist in Billy’s character, reflecting another facet of his personality. This inner cleansing is very abrupt, similar to the bombing of a city.