The Use of Symbolism in Slaughterhouse-Five: Analyzing Key Symbols Such as the Phrase "So It Goes" and Their Significance to the Narrative

Slaughterhouse-Five is rich with symbolism, and one of the most prominent symbols in the novel is the phrase “so it goes,” which is repeated every time a death is mentioned. This phrase encapsulates the novel’s philosophy of acceptance and detachment from the inevitability of death. By using this simple phrase, Vonnegut emphasizes the indifference to human suffering and the futility of trying to make sense of death or violence.

Another significant symbol is the bombing of Dresden, which serves as a metaphor for the senseless destruction of war. The novel’s nonlinear narrative structure, with its repeated references to time and memory, also symbolizes the disorienting and fragmented nature of trauma and the human experience.

Through these symbols, Vonnegut communicates the novel’s central themes of fate, death, and the absurdity of war, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological effects of war on individuals and society.