Many people in our world today strive for equality and work towards the cause of everyone being viewed as equal. Equality is something that over the years has become more prominent of an issue to society. It seems to be a movement that is good in theory, but has never actually been played out. A glimpse of true and full equality is shown in Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron, where Vonnegut uses a futuristic setting in this science fiction story to portray the dangers of true equality in a society. Just like there are some in society now who do not agree with full equality, Harrison, son of George and Hazel, chooses to be the one to rebel against the act. Through this story, Vonnegut proves that equal was never meant to mean ‘the same’. First,
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The reader understands that Hazel, not having a handicap, is the perfectly average person. However, the perfectly average person in the year 2081 is apparently not all too bright. The author keeps Hazel’s side of the conversation simple, almost too simple for someone of her age. The reader recognizes this, especially in her fascination shown by the sounds her husband hears when she is impressed with “all the things they think up (1)”. Although this seems unordinary, Vonnegut shows how normalized the handicaps have become, George even going as far as saying that the 47 pounds of bird seed around his neck are “just a part of [him]” (2), and that he no longer notices it. The author also shows how the couple agrees with the equality laws, proving that the entire society has been brainwashed, as George doesn’t want to get “right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (2). The reader is surprised at this, as it seems the pain George goes through is not worth total equality. This statement, however, seems to be the most intelligent thought in the entire story, as the conversation is continually cut off by a new sound in George’s …show more content…
The story takes place in the year 2081, and everyone is equal in “every which way” (1). The author shows the reader the idea that the future will make everything easier is a false statement, as “some things about living still weren’t quite right” (1). Even in a setting 65 years ahead of current time, the idea of every person being the exact same is not down to a science. Some people assume that once a certain generation is gone, everything will be perfect and there won’t be any obstacles in obtaining full equality. This was clearly the thought of this society, and Vonnegut comes in with the realistic smack down of Harrison Bergeron. He was an exceptional person who was given many handicaps in order to become ‘average’. It does not matter how hard one tries to make each and every person entirely equal, there will always be “a man that would have awed Thor, the god of thunder” (4). Vonnegut stresses this by using a futuristic setting. The reader understands with this that there is always someone who will disagree. As much as one may think times are changing, making people ‘the same’ is not a realistic movement in any year. The author tells the reader in the beginning of the story that the equality in the future was “due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution” (1), showing
The reader understands that Hazel, not having a handicap, is the perfectly average person. However, the perfectly average person in the year 2081 is apparently not all too bright. The author keeps Hazel’s side of the conversation simple, almost too simple for someone of her age. The reader recognizes this, especially in her fascination shown by the sounds her husband hears when she is impressed with “all the things they think up (1)”. Although this seems unordinary, Vonnegut shows how normalized the handicaps have become, George even going as far as saying that the 47 pounds of bird seed around his neck are “just a part of [him]” (2), and that he no longer notices it. The author also shows how the couple agrees with the equality laws, proving that the entire society has been brainwashed, as George doesn’t want to get “right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else” (2). The reader is surprised at this, as it seems the pain George goes through is not worth total equality. This statement, however, seems to be the most intelligent thought in the entire story, as the conversation is continually cut off by a new sound in George’s …show more content…
The story takes place in the year 2081, and everyone is equal in “every which way” (1). The author shows the reader the idea that the future will make everything easier is a false statement, as “some things about living still weren’t quite right” (1). Even in a setting 65 years ahead of current time, the idea of every person being the exact same is not down to a science. Some people assume that once a certain generation is gone, everything will be perfect and there won’t be any obstacles in obtaining full equality. This was clearly the thought of this society, and Vonnegut comes in with the realistic smack down of Harrison Bergeron. He was an exceptional person who was given many handicaps in order to become ‘average’. It does not matter how hard one tries to make each and every person entirely equal, there will always be “a man that would have awed Thor, the god of thunder” (4). Vonnegut stresses this by using a futuristic setting. The reader understands with this that there is always someone who will disagree. As much as one may think times are changing, making people ‘the same’ is not a realistic movement in any year. The author tells the reader in the beginning of the story that the equality in the future was “due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution” (1), showing