ight of the poverty endured by most
             people in San Lorenzo. When Asa Breed expounds on the grandiose
             possibilities of ice-nine, John has the foresight to see how this invention
             could end life on earth. In fact, unlike many of the characters in the
             novel, John is actively searching for something to believe in, something to
             give his life meaning. Also, in contrast to the other characters, John is
             the only person in the novel to worry about the consequences of ice-nine
             and of science and technology in general.
             Though he is already dead, Dr. Felix Hoenikker looms as a giant
             presence. The consequences of Hoenniker's irresponsibility can be seen in
             both small and large scales. First, Hoenikker is an irresponsible father
             and husband, who causes his children to suffer physical and emotional
             deformities. His own children are afraid of him and see him as "ugly."
             Moreover, Hoenikker is a scientist, one who is driven not by mon
             ...