Final Answer:
The phrase "so it goes" in SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 is a repeated refrain that Kurt Vonnegut uses to express the absurdity and inevitability of life and death. It is often used to describe the cyclical nature of life, where events and experiences are interconnected and inevitably lead to other events and experiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "so it goes" is used throughout SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 to convey the idea that life is full of random and often meaningless events that are beyond our control. Vonnegut's use of this phrase serves to underscore the absurdity of war, the futility of human existence, and the interconnectedness of all things.
One of the most significant uses of the phrase "so it goes" is in the opening chapter of the book, where Vonnegut describes the bombing of Dresden, which he experienced firsthand during World War II. Here, he writes, "So it goes with the world. So it goes with all of us." This line sets the tone for the rest of the book, which explores the themes of war, trauma, and the human condition.
Throughout the book, Vonnegut uses "so it goes" to describe a wide range of events, from the mundane to the catastrophic. For example, when the character Billy Pilgrim is killed in the Battle of the Bulge, Vonnegut writes, "So it goes with Billy Pilgrim's life." This line serves to underscore the randomness and senselessness of Billy's death, as well as the interconnectedness of all events in the book.
Overall, the phrase "so it goes" is a powerful and recurring motif in SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5, and it serves to underscore the themes of absurdity, inevitability, and interconnectedness that run throughout the book.