What problems could be created in society as a result of absolute equality? A myriad of people believes equality has numerous benefits and should be a fundamental aspect of a society. However, in “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut demonstrates the unfavorable sacrifices needed for everybody to be equal in every way. In the year 2081, the government reinforces members of society to wear handicaps such as weights, earpieces, and masks, provided that no one will surpass another’s strength, intelligence, or physical appearance. As a result, people have become inept and ignorant and cannot resist the government’s inhumanity. Their freedom has been seized, and consequently, technology and the government dictate people’s thoughts and actions. The
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For example, George possesses an above average intelligence and wears a transmitter in his ear that “would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains” (Vonnegut 1). As a result of this, knowledgeable members of society cannot recognize the injustice of their government, and “George and Hazel only have fleeting suspicions that the system is a bad one” (“Harrison Bergeron” 2419). Moreover, the sounds emitted by the mental handicapper appear to be agonizing, as “George was white and trembling, and tears stood on the rims of his red eyes” after a boisterous sound interrupts his cerebration (Vonnegut 2). This indicates the government’s exploitation of technology to torture its citizens in order for them to be equal, therefore confirming the afflictions associated with complete equality. Additionally, Vonnegut portrays television as a numbing influence, considering it had “desensitized Hazel Bergeron, Harrison’s mother, to the murder of her own son, which she witnesses while watching television” (Alvarez 1). The television appears to be an integral component of people’s lives, which compels one’s attention span to shorten, therefore causing one to forget an event almost immediately upon witnessing it. This discourages remonstrance among …show more content…
In “Harrison Bergeron,” Vonnegut creates a rancorous government “which ruthlessly enforces the laws” and leads civilians to obey without question (Alvarez 2). For example, George refuses to transgress by taking off his handicaps because superfluous punishments and fines would have been issued (Vonnegut 2). Similarly, Diana Moon Glampers, the daunting Handicapper General “came into the studio...She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor,” revealing her atrocious nature (Vonnegut 5). The strict edicts put into place and the heartless murder of Harrison illustrates that maintaining equality results in a truculent authority. Correspondingly, the government often exploits its citizens, as “Vonnegut satirizes the fear of change and of uncertainty: victims of oppressive law want to enforce it rather than take their chances without it” (“Themes and Construction” 2). Due to trepidation evoked by the government, citizens speculate that society will fall apart if they do not obey the set mandates. Most importantly, the avaricious government knows “the idea of equality has been made an instrument of social control” (“Harrison Bergeron” 2420). Considering Diana Moon Glampers and the rest of the government have more capabilities than other
For example, George possesses an above average intelligence and wears a transmitter in his ear that “would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains” (Vonnegut 1). As a result of this, knowledgeable members of society cannot recognize the injustice of their government, and “George and Hazel only have fleeting suspicions that the system is a bad one” (“Harrison Bergeron” 2419). Moreover, the sounds emitted by the mental handicapper appear to be agonizing, as “George was white and trembling, and tears stood on the rims of his red eyes” after a boisterous sound interrupts his cerebration (Vonnegut 2). This indicates the government’s exploitation of technology to torture its citizens in order for them to be equal, therefore confirming the afflictions associated with complete equality. Additionally, Vonnegut portrays television as a numbing influence, considering it had “desensitized Hazel Bergeron, Harrison’s mother, to the murder of her own son, which she witnesses while watching television” (Alvarez 1). The television appears to be an integral component of people’s lives, which compels one’s attention span to shorten, therefore causing one to forget an event almost immediately upon witnessing it. This discourages remonstrance among …show more content…
In “Harrison Bergeron,” Vonnegut creates a rancorous government “which ruthlessly enforces the laws” and leads civilians to obey without question (Alvarez 2). For example, George refuses to transgress by taking off his handicaps because superfluous punishments and fines would have been issued (Vonnegut 2). Similarly, Diana Moon Glampers, the daunting Handicapper General “came into the studio...She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor,” revealing her atrocious nature (Vonnegut 5). The strict edicts put into place and the heartless murder of Harrison illustrates that maintaining equality results in a truculent authority. Correspondingly, the government often exploits its citizens, as “Vonnegut satirizes the fear of change and of uncertainty: victims of oppressive law want to enforce it rather than take their chances without it” (“Themes and Construction” 2). Due to trepidation evoked by the government, citizens speculate that society will fall apart if they do not obey the set mandates. Most importantly, the avaricious government knows “the idea of equality has been made an instrument of social control” (“Harrison Bergeron” 2420). Considering Diana Moon Glampers and the rest of the government have more capabilities than other