Vonnegut's Story Of Population Control

In 2BR02B, Vonnegut provides a fruitful, dark, and mind-bending story. Vonnegut’s story represents the values of death of life when he says, “[d]eath, barring accidents, was an adventure for volunteers” (Vonnegut). This reveals that there are those who consider death an adventure and not an end. His story illustrates the toll of human nature on humanity no matter the situation. In particular, Vonnegut utilizes a story of population control to propel his ideas further. Furthermore, Vonnegut employs the short story to describe the inconsistencies of population control. Ultimately Vonnegut’s illustration paints population control as a heartless act against humanity. However, Vonnegut’s idea of population control is overexerted and tasteless. Moreover,

However, it is clear through Mr. Wehling’s reaction that human nature shows a clear significance in the story. More importantly, Mr. Wehling provides evidence to the dilemma of Vonnegut’s form of population control and the possible trauma it may cause. New values and ethics have been formed as a result of population control. People find different values in life. For Mr. Wehling, his value of life deteriorated significantly due to the system of killing off people to keep stability. Mr. Wehling was not able to supply 3 people to ‘replace’ his triplets. Coupled with an extended lifespan, Wheling already lived a plentiful life. His reaction was to shoot three people to allow his triplets to live. This significance to this reaction is a prime example of human natures reaction with population control. Human nature is innate reactionary system each human hold. For the most part, humans hold the very similar responses to situations. However, with concepts such as extended life and population control, human nature is blurred in the process. Mr. Wehling’s reaction is used to portray this innate response to something difficult. His reaction is one that values death over life. In fact, everyone in this world values death, “[n]obody came running. Nobody, seemingly, heard the shots” (Vonnegut). Typically, human’s values what is best for one’s self and life first.

Implementing his ideas would ultimately lead to a more separated humanity. To further investigate, it is important to discuss real implementation of population control. Such implantations such as China. China has allowed for a stable form of population control known as the One-Child Era and the Two-Child Era. The One-Child Era was form of regulation which discouraged families having more than one child. If one did have another child, the family would be fined. Furthermore, the government would monitor fertility in women. Together this system was a stable form. However, forced abortions and sterilization began occurring at a more common rate. No form would ever satisfy all of human nature. Moreover, the Two-Child Era worked on solving these issues. The Two-Child Era allowed for two children to be born under supervision and regulation. This allowed for a better balance in terms of male and female but also a better regulation on population. This form of population control is much less severe than what is perceived in Vonnegut’s work. It is clear that what China is doing has increased value of life and a balance in population. With this example, it is clear that better alternatives are