So It Goes

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is crafted to assist students in examining the motif “So it goes” within Kurt Vonnegut’s novel “Slaughterhouse-Five.” This recurring phrase becomes a leitmotif throughout the narrative, signifying the inevitability of death and the concept of fatalism.

The first part of the worksheet requires students to delve into the text and identify four instances where the phrase “So it goes” appears. They must document the specific story event and the corresponding chapter and page number, as well as articulate the effect or impact of each occurrence. This exercise prompts the students to engage closely with the text, enhancing their ability to notice patterns and interpret their significance in relation to the story’s themes.

In the second part, students reflect on the commonality between these occurrences, the effect of the phrase’s placement, and its overarching meaning within the context of the novel. This encourages deeper thinking about how Vonnegut uses this motif to underscore his commentary on war, mortality, and the human condition. By completing this activity, students gain insight into the author’s stylistic choices and thematic messaging, as well as practice synthesizing information from different parts of the text.