Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, once said “In youth, we learn; in age, we understand.” Youth is a time of learning and is most defined as the period after childhood and before adulthood. During youth, there are times of teamwork, but there are times to stand on one’s own self. Short stories send messages to the youth of growing into one’s true self through trials in life. Moreover, protagonists from young adult short stories demonstrate themes of individuality and acting on one’s own self through situations of opposition from others. A dominated, common theme “on your own” can be seen through examining and analyzing protagonists in young adult short stories like Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron,” Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game,” and
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To achieve equality, the government forces people to wear handicaps; the beautiful must wear hideous masks, the intelligent must hear noises to impede their ability to think, and the strong must wear weights. After breaking out of jail, Harrison cries out on television, “ I am the Emperor!...Even as I stand here--crippled, hobbled, sickened--I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived” (Vonnegut 104). These statements that Harrison publicly declares, illustrate that the leaders of the government should not be run by the most incompetent as they approved the idea of handicaps that prohibits people from showcasing their extraordinary abilities and features. Instead, the leaders should be the most suitable for the job, smart, and in control, which is what he is demonstrating by rebelling on his own. Following his statement, “Harrison smashed his headphones and spectacles against the wall” (Vonnegut 104). This quote shows that Harrison is fed up with the idea of handicaps and acting on what he thinks is right, which is having no handicaps. These handicaps do not make everyone equal, but it enhances people’s inequalities even more. Furthermore, his actions demonstrate that handicaps compel people, who are above average in intelligence, beauty, and strength, to be down low with those who are not as intelligent, beautiful, or strong. …show more content…
Whitney presents an idea to Rainsford that hunted animals have feelings of fear. Rainsford replies back with, “Nonsense...The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees” (Connell 18). These statements show that when hearing Whitney’s philosophical opinion, Rainsford stands with his opinion on hunted animals having no feelings. Moreover, this shows Rainsford’s mind of not being swayed easily and not wavering over feelings of pity for the animals he hunts. Rainsford then encounters another hunter, General Zaroff, whose ideal animal to hunt are humans, and Zaroff tries to persuade Rainsford to go hunt humans with him. In response, Rainsford states “Thank you, I’m a hunter, not a murderer” (Connell 26). This quote proves that when Rainsford is being persuaded, he is not falling into the pressure to hunt humans. In addition, the statement by Rainsford presents a message to the reader to hold their ground and not be pressure to appease others. Moreover, Rainsford rejects Zaroff’s idea with his own morals and values of hunting humans as something that is morally wrong and unlawfully killing. Furthermore, Rainsford states to Zaroff, “I am still a beast at bay” (Connell 34). This quote illustrates that Rainsford
To achieve equality, the government forces people to wear handicaps; the beautiful must wear hideous masks, the intelligent must hear noises to impede their ability to think, and the strong must wear weights. After breaking out of jail, Harrison cries out on television, “ I am the Emperor!...Even as I stand here--crippled, hobbled, sickened--I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived” (Vonnegut 104). These statements that Harrison publicly declares, illustrate that the leaders of the government should not be run by the most incompetent as they approved the idea of handicaps that prohibits people from showcasing their extraordinary abilities and features. Instead, the leaders should be the most suitable for the job, smart, and in control, which is what he is demonstrating by rebelling on his own. Following his statement, “Harrison smashed his headphones and spectacles against the wall” (Vonnegut 104). This quote shows that Harrison is fed up with the idea of handicaps and acting on what he thinks is right, which is having no handicaps. These handicaps do not make everyone equal, but it enhances people’s inequalities even more. Furthermore, his actions demonstrate that handicaps compel people, who are above average in intelligence, beauty, and strength, to be down low with those who are not as intelligent, beautiful, or strong. …show more content…
Whitney presents an idea to Rainsford that hunted animals have feelings of fear. Rainsford replies back with, “Nonsense...The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees” (Connell 18). These statements show that when hearing Whitney’s philosophical opinion, Rainsford stands with his opinion on hunted animals having no feelings. Moreover, this shows Rainsford’s mind of not being swayed easily and not wavering over feelings of pity for the animals he hunts. Rainsford then encounters another hunter, General Zaroff, whose ideal animal to hunt are humans, and Zaroff tries to persuade Rainsford to go hunt humans with him. In response, Rainsford states “Thank you, I’m a hunter, not a murderer” (Connell 26). This quote proves that when Rainsford is being persuaded, he is not falling into the pressure to hunt humans. In addition, the statement by Rainsford presents a message to the reader to hold their ground and not be pressure to appease others. Moreover, Rainsford rejects Zaroff’s idea with his own morals and values of hunting humans as something that is morally wrong and unlawfully killing. Furthermore, Rainsford states to Zaroff, “I am still a beast at bay” (Connell 34). This quote illustrates that Rainsford