Sneaking Around to Live

In this chapter the prisoners of war are working in a factory that makes a syrup-like substance. This syrupy substance is "enriched with vitamins and minerals"(160). The workers were constantly "spooning" the syrup, or sneaking spoonfuls of it. As prisoners the Americans weren't actually receiving proper nourishment and were deprived of just simple necessities like proper food. So they are forced to act like little children sneaking around trying not to get caught and hiding spoons just to survive. This reminded me of my brother trying to sneak a candy bar past my mom so he could enjoy it. But unlike the war prisoners my brother is properly fed and doesn't need to have more candy. This is a very keen idea of Vonnegut's to include this incident to explain how life was in the war.