Themes: Apathy and Passivity
Apathy and inaction are natural responses to the perception that events are beyond one's control. In Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim is frequently a passive participant, more often on the receiving end of actions than initiating them himself. If he's not captured by the Germans, he's taken by the Tralfamadorians. It's only later in life, when Billy tries to tell the world about his abduction, that he begins to take any initiative, which might still be viewed as a reaction to his predetermined destiny. Other characters also attempt to exert influence to varying degrees, but with limited success. As Vonnegut notes in Chapter Eight, "There are almost no characters in this story, and almost no dramatic confrontations, because most of the people in it are so sick and so much the listless playthings of enormous forces."
Expert Q&A
Why does the author use "so it goes" repeatedly in Slaughterhouse-Five?
The author continually uses the phrase "so it goes" after every mention of death and mortality in Slaughterhouse-Five. It reflects the belief of the Tralfamadorians that someone who is dead in one moment is alive at another moments of their life. This is because all time exists at once. So when confronted with death, Billy doesn't need to worry. He can simply shrug his shoulders and say, "So it goes."
What's the significance of the "hobo" saying, "This ain't so bad" in Slaughterhouse-Five?
The hobo's saying, "This ain't so bad," in Slaughterhouse-Five highlights the theme of relative suffering and dark humor. His remark contrasts the dire situation in the boxcar with even worse experiences, reflecting a resigned fatalism similar to Billy Pilgrim’s “So it goes.” This phrase underscores the relentless horrors of war and adds irony and pathos to the story, emphasizing the hobo's tragic yet unsentimental death.
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