Timothy Dzurilla 4/12/02 Intro. to Lit. and Comp. The Answer YouÕve All Been Looking For Where are you right now? (Well I have a pretty good idea if youÕre reading this...) But, how did you get here? Is it your destiny to read this? Is it part of GodÕs plan for you to find out how this paper ends? Or is it entirely by your own will that you sat down to consider what I am about to say? Ursula K. LeGuin provides some answers to these difficult questions in her short story ÒSchršdingerÕs CatÓ. She examines how science and religion are both ways in which people search for the unknown in a science fiction world that strangely parallels our own. î The story takes place in a world where the rules are constantly changing and the bizarre is commonplace; yet there are obvious similarities between this world and our own. The physical rules that are typically taken for granted in the real world are always changing in LeGuinÕs world. Currently the world is Ògetting awfully hotÓ (2040) to the point that opening a car door is like Òopening the door to an oven going full blastÓ (2040). There is no explanation for the increase in temperature, nor is there very much concern on the part of the narrator. The weird seems to be commonplace to the narrator as they describe the strange without surprise. A couple that has Ògone to piecesÓ (2039) is little more than body parts Òtrott[ing] around bouncing and cheeping, like little chicksÓ (2039). This is a place where the figurative becomes literal and nothing is bizarre. The only rule that is constant in this world is that there are no rules and anything is possible. Even though this seems likeö an entirely made up world, there are obvious parallels between our world and this fictional one. Christianity is a major influence in this world. There are references to ÒAdamÕs diseaseÓ (2039) and MichelangeloÕs Last Judgment (2040). Even though this is an unexplainable world, it seems that the people inhabiting it have used religion to try to explain it. This is no surprise because human nature in LeGuinÕs world is the same as it is in our own. People fall into one of three categories when confronted with the unknown: those who ÒinvestigateÓ (2040) it, those who ÒtryÓ to conquer it, and those who do Ònot try to do or think anything about it at allÓ (2040). Even though the setting is constantly changing and unrealistic, the human reaction to it is accurate and realistic. To further explore the human reaction to the unknown, LeGuin employs a dog named Rover and his experiment to find the Truth. Rover is representative of people mentally, physically, and spiritually. He is able to speak, ÒÝmassage his shouldersÓ (2041), and by the end of the story the narrator has decided that Rover even has a ÒsoulÓ (2043). Because he is just as human as any person, Rover reacts the same way to uncertainty as people do. He falls into the category of people who investigate and try to explain and understand the unexplainable. Rover is fraught with angst as he declares ÒI canÕt stand stand this terrible uncertaintyÓ (2043). His reaction to the unknown is consistent with how many people feel knowing that there are few things in the world that can be considered constant. Rover is unable to find certainty because he is unable to reconcile the explanations of science and religion, just as people have since the beginning of time. In order to find certainty, Rover believes that Òyou must create it yourselfÓ (2042). His experiment is an attempt to discover if ÒGod plays dice with the worldÓ (2042) and ultimately if we are creatures lead by fate or if the chaos in the world is juµst that. This is a question that has always plagued humanity, and one that LeGuin does not even attempt to answer. The uncertainty is compounded by more uncertainty just as answers tend to lead to more questions. People need to know the answers to questions that may never be answered, but this need is what drives people through life. Even though the results are inconclusive, Rover is ready to keep looking for the answer and already has the next experiment planned using a Òbigger boxÓ (2044). The search for the ultimate truth is a constant and unending one. People are afraid of what they do not understand, but Òman is most human at his most frightenedÓ (2040). Large questions like ÔWhy are we here?Õ and ÔWhoÕs in control?Õ are impossible to answer, but everyone tries to find the answers. Looking for the truth is Òall [man] can doÓ (2040). Even though this paper has provided no answers, I hope it inspired you to keep looking.