| 2 B R 0 2 B | |
| Author: | Kurt Vonnegut |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Science fiction |
| Published In: | Worlds of If Science Fiction |
| Publication Type: | Magazine |
| Pub Date: | January 1962 |
"2 B R 0 2 B" is a science fiction short story by Kurt Vonnegut, originally published in the digest magazine If: Worlds of Science Fiction in January 1962, and later collected in Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box (1999). The title is pronounced "2 B R naught 2 B" and references the famous phrase "to be, or not to be" from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The story explores themes of overpopulation, government control, and the value of human life, showcasing Vonnegut’s characteristic blend of dark humor and social commentary.
"2 B R 0 2 B" was first published in the January 1962 issue of If: Worlds of Science Fiction. It was later included in Vonnegut’s 1999 collection Bagombo Snuff Box. The story has been widely reprinted and is often included in anthologies of classic science fiction.
The setting is a society in which aging has been cured, individuals have indefinite lifespans, and population control is used to limit the population of the United States to forty million, a number which is maintained through a combination of infanticide and government-assisted suicide. In short, for someone to be born, someone else must first volunteer to die. As a result, births are few and far between, and deaths occur primarily by accident.
The scene is a waiting room at the Chicago Lying-In Hospital, where Edward K. Wehling Jr. is faced with the situation that his wife is about to give birth to triplets, but he has found only one person, his maternal grandfather, who will volunteer to die. A painter on a stepladder is redecorating the room with a mural depicting employees who work at the hospital, including Dr. Benjamin Hitz, the hospital's Chief Obstetrician. Leora Duncan, from the Service Division of the Federal Bureau of Termination, arrives to pose for the mural. It is a picture of a garden that is well taken care of, and a metaphor for the United States at the time. Later, Dr. Hitz enters the scene and converses with everyone but the painter of the mural.
It becomes apparent to all that Wehling is in a state of despair since he does not want to send his grandfather and two of his children to death. Dr. Hitz questions Wehling's belief in the system and tries to make Wehling feel better by explaining how the surviving child will "live on a happy, roomy, clean, rich planet." Suddenly, Wehling draws a revolver and kills Dr. Hitz, Leora Duncan, and himself, "making room for all three children."
The painter, who is about 200 years old, is left to reflect on the scene and thinks about life, war, plague, and starvation. Descending the stepladder, he initially takes the revolver and intends to kill himself with it but is unable to do so. Instead, he calls the Bureau of Termination to make an appointment. The last line is from the receptionist at the Bureau:
"2 B R 0 2 B" presents a dystopian future where population control is strictly enforced, reflecting Vonnegut’s concerns about overpopulation and the potential dehumanization within bureaucratic systems. The title, a play on Shakespeare’s "To be, or not to be," underscores the existential questions at the heart of the story. Vonnegut’s use of dark humor and irony serves to critique societal norms and question the morality of government intervention in life and death.
Since its publication, "2 B R 0 2 B" has been recognized as one of Vonnegut’s most impactful short stories, frequently cited in discussions of dystopian literature. Critics have praised its incisive social commentary and the chilling plausibility of its future vision. The story has been studied in academic settings for its exploration of ethics, population control, and the role of government.[1]
Vonnegut's story was the basis for the 2016 Canadian short film , directed by Marco Checa Garcia,[2] which premiered at the Sci-Fi-London festival in April 2016.[3] The story has also inspired other adaptations, including an audiobook version narrated by Matt Montanez in 2024,[4] a dramatic reading available on multiple platforms, and a graphic novel adaptation by Jim Tierney published in 2012.[5] Additionally, the story has been performed as a stage adaptation by the Portland Stage Company in 2011.[6]
Vonnegut’s story has influenced a range of other writers and filmmakers who explore themes of dystopia and population control. The concept of government-regulated life and death in 2 B R 0 2 B can be seen echoed in works such as the film Logan's Run by Michael Anderson, which similarly examines a society that imposes strict population control measures, and George Orwell’s 1984, where the government exerts total control over life and death decisions.[7] [8]