Unstuck in Time

In the second chapter of Slaughterhouse-Five, the story's odd methods of storytelling are revealed. Half of the plot, from Pilgrim's childhood, to his deployment in WWII, to his marriage, to his wife's death are all "foreshadowed", in Vonnegut's odd manner. Later on in the story, these moments are often flashed back to, normally for dramatic effect or to further explain details only lightly touched upon earlier. Indeed, the entire story is told in a very non-linear manner, with frequent jumps between the past, present, and sometimes even the future. Thus, it could be said that the incidence of Billy's coming "unstuck in time" could be so that Vonnegut could put together a story with a message without having to worry about utilizing a linear plot.