Imagine you are living in America during the year 2081. The 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments have been ratified, making everyone equal. Not one person has a more advanced intellect, no one is smaller or bigger than the other, no one is better looking than you. All aspects of every American are equivalent. In Kurt Vonnegut Jr’s, “Harrison Bergeron,” This idea of equality comes to life. Vonnegut stresses the idea of equality by creating a vivid image for the reader. But is this image of equality accurate in 2017? By using imagery and symbolism, “Harrison Bergeron” creates a twisted idea for equality that can partially relate to today’s society. At the beginning of the story, Vonnegut sets the story by defining equality in this time setting. As
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At the start of the story, Harrison’s situation is briefly mentioned. “April, for instance, drove people crazy by not being springtime. And it was in that clammy month that the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron’s fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away” (232). Harrison is so powerful, athletic, and a good-looking, the government has him under numerous handicaps. As for his looks, it is a requirement that Harrison must shave off his eyebrows and wear a red, clown nose. Harrison held enormous scraps of metal, handicap headphones instead of a small earpiece, and glasses that made him nearly blind and gave him headaches. Harrison is the most powerful handicap the government has ever seen (234). Harrison manages to escape from jail and make his way to the ballerinas’ performance. Once he has made it to the auditorium, Harrison proceeds to rips the door from its hinges. Harrison exclaims, “I am the Emperor! Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once! Even as I stand here crippled, hobbled, sickened⸺ I am a greater ruler than any man who has ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become”
At the start of the story, Harrison’s situation is briefly mentioned. “April, for instance, drove people crazy by not being springtime. And it was in that clammy month that the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron’s fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away” (232). Harrison is so powerful, athletic, and a good-looking, the government has him under numerous handicaps. As for his looks, it is a requirement that Harrison must shave off his eyebrows and wear a red, clown nose. Harrison held enormous scraps of metal, handicap headphones instead of a small earpiece, and glasses that made him nearly blind and gave him headaches. Harrison is the most powerful handicap the government has ever seen (234). Harrison manages to escape from jail and make his way to the ballerinas’ performance. Once he has made it to the auditorium, Harrison proceeds to rips the door from its hinges. Harrison exclaims, “I am the Emperor! Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once! Even as I stand here crippled, hobbled, sickened⸺ I am a greater ruler than any man who has ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become”