2br02b By Kurt Vonnegut

Imagine a world where population control has become a consuming obsession. Kurt Vonnegut's short story '2BR02B' represents a dystopian future in which population control is taken to extremes, emphasizing the value of human life and the dangers of a society obsessed with efficiency and convenience. This is displayed through characterization from Leora Duncan; the gas chamber hostess, Dr Hitz; the creator of the suicide system, and Edward K.Wehling; the desperate citizen. To begin, the gas chamber hostess Leora Duncan portrays an influential interpretation of a dystopian society. Duncan mentions, "’ I wish people wouldn't call it 'the Catbox,' and things like that,’ she said. ‘It gives people the wrong impression.’” (Vonnegut 3). This highlights

In a garden like that mural there.’" (3). Dr Hitz is presented as a cold and disengaged character in this story. He seems to view society as mere statistics as the population is his priority. Hitz talks about how Wehling’s newborn child is going to be living on a happy planet because of the controlled population. He is implying that without population control, the world would be a sad and poor place. Dr Hitz is glorifying that human life has no value to it and death is seen as a resource for the welfare of the world. Dr Hitz's character is also a teaching moment about how easily people in positions of power can be corrupted by a society that values efficiency over humanity. Despite being a well-educated and respected community leader, Dr Hitz has become equally guilty in a system that takes priority in statistics over people, resulting in the dehumanization and degradation of society as a whole. Finally, Edward K. Wehling appears to be a broken and desperate man who has been pushed to the edge by society and the laws. The author has emphasized, “He smiled luminously. The smile faded as he saw that Wehling had just drawn a revolver. Wehling shot Dr. Hitz dead. ‘There's room for one—a great big one,’ he said. And then he shot Leora Duncan. ‘It's only death,’ he said to her as she fell. ‘There! Room for two.’” (3). Wehling seemed to have realized that killing Dr Hitz, Leora Duncan, and himself would make room for three of his children instead of having to kill his