Humans strive to claw their way to the top of society to create what they see as a utopia. This motivation exists in each of us. Good things result from this trait. Horrible events also happen. Once at the top and in power, those who oppose the one at the top are overpowered or expelled. Atsuko Asano's novel #6 depicts an ideal society on the surface. Science and technology are thriving. Only 0.05% of deaths in No. 6 are due to suicide. The novel focuses on the Holy City, No. 6. It is one of six city-states founded after a nuclear disaster. He sees the world in black or white. Citizens are for or against No. 6. This society strives to be perfect, but it cannot avoid one major human trait. Humans will use, abuse, or eliminate the weakest or opponents to stay on top. The people inside number 6 are citizens and outside the wall they are insects. Shion, a resident who escapes a false detention, wants to blur the boundaries between black and white. Shion is only human. Humans want a perfect society and strive to create one with good intentions, but they succumb to being human. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayAt first, #6 seems like a world without sorrow. Science is advancing to the point that citizens no longer have to worry about premature death from most diseases. Even the elders do not fear death. Once they meet certain undisclosed criteria, the government sends them to Twilight Cottage, which cares for the elders all the way. Once death has occurred, families do not have to worry about the suffering of their loved ones before death. At the funeral, “they all seemed to be having a wonderful dream” (Vol 1. Ch. 3). A peaceful death is not the only illusion the government forces its citizens to believe. Since everything is perfect, citizens have no desire to revolt against the government. Number 6 presents a facade for citizens to think they are safe and protected at all times. Those who live outside the wall that separates Number 6 from the West Block cannot afford such luxury. In fact, #6 attacks those outside the wall to become stronger. For the mayor of number 6, “the West Block is not part of the city” and he uses it as “a kind of dump” (Vol. 1 Ch. 4). Shion, disgusted by the city he once lived in that could treat others like subhumans, vows to change his ways. Shion moves to the West Block until Number 6 collapses. The West Block doesn't hide its wrongdoing like Number 6. People want to survive and morals are violated. The weak will die and the strong will reap the benefits. Shion still believes that the people inside and outside the wall are the same humans. His friend Inukashi tells Shion that "if he continues to believe in his fantasy, he will never survive in the West Block" (Vol. 3 Ch. 1). But the citizens of Number 6 and the West Block are the same humans. Both want to get rid of each other. They want power and stay there. The only difference is lies #6 which hide their motives. In their minds, they have two options: either number 6 or the fall of the West Block. However, Shion sees the third way. He sees a way to “seek cohabitation rather than vengeance” (Vol. 7 Ch. 3). The West Block and Number 6 can exist together. Before this can happen, the..