The Evening and the Morning and the Night

Science fiction often uses allegory, presenting a story or scenario that allows it to indirectly investigate real-life situations or concerns in order to present a hidden message. “The Evening and the Morning and the Night” does not come to any firm political or philosophical convictions, but it is rich with exploration and analysis of some of the controversial questions of Butler’s day (and ours). It is often through this literary device that Butler investigates the themes of Human Nature and Social Structure and Self-Determination and Individual Responsibility. When the story was written, as now, abortion was a perennial issue of debate. In the 1980s, prenatal genetic screening for conditions like trisomy 21, which causes Down syndrome, had become increasingly common. Many minor characters, including Lynn and Alan’s parents, are morally opposed to abortion even though they know their children are likely to suffer from their illness. At the other extreme, Alan feels so strongly that he should not pass on his condition that he opts for sterilization, and he even suggests that all DGDs should be sterilized to eliminate the condition. In the middle of the spectrum, Beatrice characterizes DGDs that have children as reckless, while Lynn recognizes that while she does not want to have children, she doesn’t want others to tell her she can’t have them.