What problems could be created in society as a result of absolute equality? A multitude of people believe that equality has numerous benefits, and should be a fundamental part of a society. However, in “Harrison Bergeron,” the author demonstrates the unfavorable sacrifices of benevolence and justice in order for everybody to be truly equal in every way. Set 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, and physical appearance. As a result, people become ignorant and ineffectual, and therefore cannot resist or rebel against the government and their inhumanity. Their freedom has been seized, and consequently
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In “Harrison Bergeron,” Harrison and the ballerina “have defied the laws of the land, the law of gravity, the laws of motion” after freeing themselves from the government’s torturous handicaps (“Harrison Bergeron” 2420). These actions illustrate the prodigious power one can possess when giventhe right to be free and shows the injustice of equality, as the handicaps originally prohibit Harrison and the ballerina from discovering this wondrous power. Furthermore, total equality in society causes “the people to give up their individual rights and aspirations,” despite the fact that “this sacrifice of the individual to the good of society does not improve conditions” (Alvarez 5). Although the members of society value equality, they have been stripped of their individuality, with only the government truly benefiting from their sacrifice. In addition to this, citizens must suppress their strengths in the name of equality, shown when the ballerinas “were burdened with sashweights and bags of birdshot” and George “had a little mental handicap radio in his ear” (Vonnegut 1). Absolute equality has led to taking away one’s freedom to move and think properly, demonstrating the negative effects in a society with equality rather than freedom. Vonnegut shows readers the message that freedom is an essential within a
In “Harrison Bergeron,” Harrison and the ballerina “have defied the laws of the land, the law of gravity, the laws of motion” after freeing themselves from the government’s torturous handicaps (“Harrison Bergeron” 2420). These actions illustrate the prodigious power one can possess when giventhe right to be free and shows the injustice of equality, as the handicaps originally prohibit Harrison and the ballerina from discovering this wondrous power. Furthermore, total equality in society causes “the people to give up their individual rights and aspirations,” despite the fact that “this sacrifice of the individual to the good of society does not improve conditions” (Alvarez 5). Although the members of society value equality, they have been stripped of their individuality, with only the government truly benefiting from their sacrifice. In addition to this, citizens must suppress their strengths in the name of equality, shown when the ballerinas “were burdened with sashweights and bags of birdshot” and George “had a little mental handicap radio in his ear” (Vonnegut 1). Absolute equality has led to taking away one’s freedom to move and think properly, demonstrating the negative effects in a society with equality rather than freedom. Vonnegut shows readers the message that freedom is an essential within a