So it goes

Following every death in the novel is the phrase "so it goes," which does multiple things in the story. Firstly, it functions as a transition from the death in which it follows. Secondly, this 'labeling' of death throughout the novel makes it much more emphasized on just how many people died, and how frequently it occurred.

Lastly, it serves as a 'life goes on' type of reaction. As the Tralfamadorians put it, "... The dead person is in a bad condition in that particular moment, but that same person is just fine in plenty of other moments" (Pg 27). These other moments can be accessed via time travel, used in this novel frequently, making those who die able to live within their past. Through time travel, Vonnegut seems to be attempting to make the statement that life is eternal, is he not? Perhaps just the opposite; death is an inevitable event that will occur, period. Perhaps this is Vonnegut's method of coping with the idea of death through the optimism found within the Tralfamadorians.

As far as connecting to something within the text, it isn't that simple. Death occurs endlessly, constantly, and inevitably throughout the book, therefor 'so it goes' occurs endlessly, constantly, and inevitably. The largest connection I can make to the rest of the text is the fact that Vonnegut does a great job of using repetition to emphasize important details.