Vonnegut is describing death, which normally, we expect a person to show some sympathy or some feelings in such times of tragedy, but typical Vonnegut brushes off the idea of death/tragedy with, “whatever man, that’s life, beat it” – or “So it goes.”

Characteristically, Vonnegut makes heavy use of repetition, frequently using the phrase, "So it goes". He uses it as a refrain when events of death, dying, and mortality occur or are mentioned; as a narrative transition to another subject; as a memento mori ; as comic relief ; and to explain the unexplained.

2024年4月29日 · “So it goes." Unlike many of these quotes, the repeated refrain from Vonnegut's classic Slaughterhouse-Five isn't notable for its unique wording so much as for how much emotion—and dismissal of emotion—it packs into three simple, world-weary words that simultaneously accept and dismiss everything.

Besides the first and last chapters in which he speaks autobiographically, Vonnegut only periodically inserts himself into Billy’s story. He chooses to reveal his presence most often through the repetitive phrase “so it goes” after every mention of death.

So It Goes is the literary journal of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum * Library—a unique publication designed to bring together work from veterans and civilians, established authors and virtual unknowns, high school students and nonagenarians.

2022年8月25日 · Throughout the novel ‘Slaughterhouse Five’, Kurt Vonnegut uses the phrase “so it goes”. At times used tragically, at other times absurdly, this phrase, repeated more than 100 times, comes to represent the occurrence of death in the novel.

People die, cities burn, and the universe couldn’t care less. “So it goes,” Vonnegut says. Over and over. It’s not a comforting thing—it’s a slap across the face. Like the universe is leaning in, whispering in your ear, “Deal with it, pal.” The thing is, Vonnegut’s not just repeating a phrase because he’s lazy or trying to fill up space. No, no.

Discussion of themes and motifs in Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Slaughterhouse-Five. eNotes critical analyses help you gain a deeper understanding of Slaughterhouse-Five so you can excel on your essay or...

In the opening chapter, Vonnegut vouches for the truth of the Second World War characters and incidents in “Slaughterhouse-Five” and then proceeds to demonstrate,...

2023年7月20日 · The idiom "so it goes" was popularized by the novel "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut, where it is used as a refrain after every death. Can you use "so it goes" in personal contexts? Yes, "so it goes" can be used in personal contexts, to express acceptance or resignation towards personal events or circumstances.