Playing God

"His contention was that the Strikers would never know the difference, that they were arrogant exemplars of bourgeois excess, even to the point of violating the laws of nature -- and God, God too -- simply to satisfy their own solipsistic desires" (18).

Erhard is classified by Nisha as "one of 'these animal people,'" (14) basically an animal rights activist who believes that what the Strikers have done with Admiral is morally wrong, against nature and against God. Through Erhard we see the many assumptions that are made about the Strikers' class. Although Erhard believes that the Strikers would be ignorant and not be able to tell their dog from another, Mrs. Striker is able to. She is not ignorant, but cognizant of her dog who seems to be the only thing that matters. The Strikers appear to be two very rich, smug people. Their egotistical pride and wealth allow them to believe that they stand apart from the world. They believe that they are better, so much so that they can bend the rules of nature to their own whims and fancies. They do not adhere to the natural laws of death in the world, but believe that they can create their own way of life, playing the role of God. In Erhard's eyes, the Strikers are seen as presumptuous and full of themselves. Putting one's self above God presupposes the idea that there is no limit to power, no limit to anything, really. Their class is defined not only by their excessive wealth but by their upheld idea that they can do whatever they want despite any repercussions. The Strikers willingly defy the natural order of things simply because they can. Not only that, Erhard calls their desires "solipsistic," meaning that the Strikers believe that their own mind is perceived to exist, not denying the existence of other minds, but not acknowledging them either. The Strikers have a surplus of money to spend on recreating the past and live in a way in which the standard rules are not applicable.

Is the Strikers' lifestyle a consequence of their arrogance? Why are the Strikers portrayed to have no limits in this story?