Chapter 9

"The trunk and fenders were collapsed. The gaping trunk looked like the mouth of a village idiot who was explaining that he didn't know anything about anything. The fenders shrugged. The bumper was at a high port arms. "Reagan for President! a sticker on the bumper said. The back window was veined with cracks. The exhaust system rested on the pavement" (Vonnegut 182-183).

The image I chose is that of a "Reagan for President" bumper sticker similar to the one on Valencia's car.his bumper sticker is mentioned in the detailed description of the way the car looked after the accident.

When I read this passage, I was drawn to the way that Vonnegut described the car after the crash. His description uses a simile and personification, through phrases like "The gaping trunk looked like the mouth of a village idiot who was explaining that he didn't know anything" (182) and "The fenders shrugged" (182). Also, Vonnegut's choice of wording is rather impressive. When Vonnegut writes "The exhaust system rested on the pavement" (183), it gives one the image of a tired exhaust system looking so happy to finally be able to stop working and to sit on the pavement. I was very impressed that everything Vonnegut writes about the state of the car manages to give the distinct impression that the car is tired and uncaring.