The short story “Harrison Bergeron” by author Kurt Vonnegut involves the elements that are commonly associated with dystopian literature. In the first line of the story, Vonnegut notifies the reader of the setting (which is 2081, the United States), and the circumstances of that time period. He states, “THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal” (Vonnegut 1). Vonnegut uses this statement to portray a “futuristic, imagined universe” (ReadWriteThink 1) and show their nation is an “illusion of a perfect society” (1). This gives the reader a negative view on the term “equality”, and consequently, expresses an oppressive society in which the characters live in. In this world of equality, “independent thought, and freedom are restricted” (ReadWriteThink 1), and handicaps are given to people who exceed the
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It was tuned to a government transmitter” (Vonnegut 1) that “would send out some sharp noise to keep people...from taking unfair advantage of their brains”. (1) This is an element of dystopian literature as citizens are not given the right to think freely, and are forced to conform to the standards of society. Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist of the story, fits the criteria of being a typical dystopian protagonist. The characteristics of a typical dystopian protagonist is the feeling of being “trapped” (ReadWriteThink 1) and the feeling that “something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.”(ReadWriteThink 1). The dystopian protagonist also “helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.” (ReadWriteThink 1). Harrison rebels against the society he lives in by breaking the laws of the land and also by breaking the “law of gravity and the laws of motion as well” (Vonnegut 5). He declares himself ‘the Emperor’, and then announces :“Even as I stand here..crippled, hobbled, sickened - I am a greater ruler than any man who ever
It was tuned to a government transmitter” (Vonnegut 1) that “would send out some sharp noise to keep people...from taking unfair advantage of their brains”. (1) This is an element of dystopian literature as citizens are not given the right to think freely, and are forced to conform to the standards of society. Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist of the story, fits the criteria of being a typical dystopian protagonist. The characteristics of a typical dystopian protagonist is the feeling of being “trapped” (ReadWriteThink 1) and the feeling that “something is terribly wrong with the society in which he or she lives.”(ReadWriteThink 1). The dystopian protagonist also “helps the audience recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.” (ReadWriteThink 1). Harrison rebels against the society he lives in by breaking the laws of the land and also by breaking the “law of gravity and the laws of motion as well” (Vonnegut 5). He declares himself ‘the Emperor’, and then announces :“Even as I stand here..crippled, hobbled, sickened - I am a greater ruler than any man who ever