Irony In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

The author's message in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is simple; society's ideal image of equality is not only unachievable, but damaging. The first thing that shows this is undoubtedly how unrealistic this form of reality would be to enforce. In modernity, the government is having difficulties with just everyday crime as shown by living in Surrey. To implement a scheme akin to the handicap system even with the introduction of a more authoritative government as shown by this story would be near to impossible. Beyond that, with all these laws and enforcements put into play “somethings about living still weren't right,” (pg. 58). The low quality of life in the reader's small glimpse into George's and Hazel's life, along …show more content…
there are an abundance of ironies to choose from. However, the most prevalent of these ironies is dramatic irony. Within this story, the main irony is how the effort to make a better, fairer lifestyle through equality has only worsened the quality of life through handicapping laws and “the unceasing vigilance” of the handicapper general (pg. 58). While unmistakable to the readers, the citizens are oblivious to the cause of their unhappiness. Conversely, the characters believe this idea of equality and it's cruel enforcement to be beneficial toward their lives. This is particularly demonstrated by the couple George and Hazel Harrison's conversation on how society without the laws allowing competition, so much so that Hazel thought “(I'd) reckon it'd fall all apart” through the limits of her average intelligence (pg. 61). While some of the main characters like Harrison and George understand it to some degree, the majority of citizens within this story contribute to this dramatic irony. This story is a compelling usage of dramatic irony because of the tension it creates with the readers knowing what is causing the conflict that the characters aren't aware