With this humorous, pensive quote, Vonnegut establishes a strong example of direct characterization. Speaking from his own point of view and about himself, he reveals that his life has seen many years and many notable memories. He calls himself an "old fart," which humorously and lightly excuses himself from the flawless, chronological book one would expect from a younger writer. Also, by alluding to his Pall Malls, he tells the audience that he is a chronic cigarette smoker, maybe an addict, and is fully aware of how his life has progressed. In mentioning the growth of his sons, Vonnegut also characterizes himself as a proud father of the young adults he has raised. Perhaps longing for his youth, Vonnegut directly says that he has become old and is only left with "his memories and his Pall Malls," while his grown sons have left to live their own lives. Vonnegut is therefore left to conjure up the most important memories for his ongoing "Dresden book," The Slaughterhouse-Five.
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