I Had a Nightmare That All Men Are Created Equal
INTRO:
Equality is discussed all around the world as a common goal of society. There is gender equality, economic equality, and political equality, among others. While people consider the favorable aspects of an equal nation, they tend to disregard the severe limitations. In a story called “Harrison Bergeron,” the author, Kurt Vonnegut, does just that. He portrays the several negative effects of equality that are overlooked by many. Like Vonnegut described in “Harrison Bergeron,” forced equality wastes potential, makes human life pointless, and turns people apathetic.
BODY: WASTED POTENTIAL One of the points against equality that Vonnegut made in “Harrison Bergeron” was that an abundance of …show more content…
Since the human race as a whole would be as capable as its worst member, there would be no real use for them. People would survive and reproduce, similar to animals. Humans would not get anywhere in life or accomplish anything productive. There would be no point to human existence in an equal society. The things that make life worthwhile are emotions and love. Equality robs people of these liberties. Beauty would be masked, and greatness would be concealed, which in turn eradicates any emotions. According to the widespread belief, love is the meaning of life. On the contrary, Diana Moon Glampers, the handicapper general in “Harrison Bergeron,” thinks that the meaning of life is living and dying without causing any complications. This is the reason she created the equality laws; so nobody would be able to have a lasting effect on humanity. “They were equal every which way. Nobody was …show more content…
Because a person in “Harrison Bergeron” is limited to thinking in “short bursts,” any emotions are forgotten mere minutes after they were experienced. “‘You been crying’ [George] said to Hazel. ‘Yup,’ she said. ‘What about?’ he said. ‘I forget,’ she said. ‘Something real sad on television.’ ‘What was it?’ he said. ‘It's all kind of mixed up in my mind,’ said Hazel. ‘Forget sad things,’ said George. ‘I always do,’ said Hazel. ‘That's my girl.’” (Vonnegut, 7) The society in Vonnegut’s story robs people of emotion. To gain equality, a society must lose emotion. This means that nobody would be upset about unfairness in an equal society, but they would in turn have no powerful emotions. All humans would do their meaningless jobs and watch unamusing television shows to keep them entertained, while living the same unfeeling life as their parents, and grandparents before them. There would be no love, joy or pride in this society, but, as Diana Moon Glampers would point out, that there is no sadness or despair as a result. Though sadness is not enjoyable, without it, and all other feelings, life is not worth living. It is a halfhearted routine that repeats until the end of one’s trivial life. Equality turns humans into an unfeeling species of animals, and the purpose of life is
INTRO:
Equality is discussed all around the world as a common goal of society. There is gender equality, economic equality, and political equality, among others. While people consider the favorable aspects of an equal nation, they tend to disregard the severe limitations. In a story called “Harrison Bergeron,” the author, Kurt Vonnegut, does just that. He portrays the several negative effects of equality that are overlooked by many. Like Vonnegut described in “Harrison Bergeron,” forced equality wastes potential, makes human life pointless, and turns people apathetic.
BODY: WASTED POTENTIAL One of the points against equality that Vonnegut made in “Harrison Bergeron” was that an abundance of …show more content…
Since the human race as a whole would be as capable as its worst member, there would be no real use for them. People would survive and reproduce, similar to animals. Humans would not get anywhere in life or accomplish anything productive. There would be no point to human existence in an equal society. The things that make life worthwhile are emotions and love. Equality robs people of these liberties. Beauty would be masked, and greatness would be concealed, which in turn eradicates any emotions. According to the widespread belief, love is the meaning of life. On the contrary, Diana Moon Glampers, the handicapper general in “Harrison Bergeron,” thinks that the meaning of life is living and dying without causing any complications. This is the reason she created the equality laws; so nobody would be able to have a lasting effect on humanity. “They were equal every which way. Nobody was …show more content…
Because a person in “Harrison Bergeron” is limited to thinking in “short bursts,” any emotions are forgotten mere minutes after they were experienced. “‘You been crying’ [George] said to Hazel. ‘Yup,’ she said. ‘What about?’ he said. ‘I forget,’ she said. ‘Something real sad on television.’ ‘What was it?’ he said. ‘It's all kind of mixed up in my mind,’ said Hazel. ‘Forget sad things,’ said George. ‘I always do,’ said Hazel. ‘That's my girl.’” (Vonnegut, 7) The society in Vonnegut’s story robs people of emotion. To gain equality, a society must lose emotion. This means that nobody would be upset about unfairness in an equal society, but they would in turn have no powerful emotions. All humans would do their meaningless jobs and watch unamusing television shows to keep them entertained, while living the same unfeeling life as their parents, and grandparents before them. There would be no love, joy or pride in this society, but, as Diana Moon Glampers would point out, that there is no sadness or despair as a result. Though sadness is not enjoyable, without it, and all other feelings, life is not worth living. It is a halfhearted routine that repeats until the end of one’s trivial life. Equality turns humans into an unfeeling species of animals, and the purpose of life is