Harrison Bergeron

been taught to follow the rules, but what happens when we don’t? In Greek mythology Icarus dares to face the sun and as a result fails to follow the rules of flying. Examples of the Icarus tales are Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” and the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut. These authors tell the story of boys who pushed the limit which resulted in their deaths. By comparing the two stories, we can see how the plot, character, and message change from story to story and create new meanings…

citizens of the society, but in reality represents a controlled dystopia. Also in both of the stories their communities have rules to keep organization but one person chooses to rebel against the rules. Both Anthem written by Ayn Rand and “ Harrison Bergeron” composed by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. involve the act of imposing guideline on their societies. First of all both stories acquire a technique to eliminate uniqueness in their civilizations. For instance “It was that the…

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” is a satirical science fiction short story that takes place in the American future of the year 2081. Vonnegut’s story is seemingly a utopia from the opening line that “everybody was finally equal” but is quickly revealed to be a dystopia due to the severe limitations placed on civilians in order to maintain equality. Vonnegut mentioning of the specific traits to which every American is equal is reflecting the American values. “Harrison Bergeron” ironically…

Was it worth it? Harrison Bergeron did not choose to spend the majority of his life in prison, however, he did choose how he was going to spend his last moments alive. Harrison's death was horrific, wrong, and inhuman. Also the readers can all agree that his decision was right and he did indeed go out with a bang. Harrison's choice was to create his own life under his own rule instead of hailing under the government's impressions. Being arrested and thrown into prison for being above average…

Power is something that can be given and taken away from the average person. Kurt Vonnegut demonstrates that power can be withdrawn from society for the bettering of the world to make everyone “equal” in his short story Harrison Bergeron. In Harrison Bergeron, the year 2081 is known for the powerless people who must obey the 218 amendments to “fit it” and be considered normal. Americans are now equal in 2081, despite the fact of every talent, gift, intellectual capability, and physical…

been purposely removed from existence. “Harrison Bergeron” is about the world and how the government forced the people to be perfectly equal. This is actually worse than before because if everybody is equal than no one can be unique. The quote by Samuel Johnson represents how a little unhappiness isn’t terrible and how equality should try to be avoided in both The Giver and ‘Harrison Bergeron.” The quote by Samuel Johnson has to do with “Harrison Bergeron” because it says, “...none should…

Sometimes a life of parity is something that is better off being unsaid, and “Harrison Bergeron” is a good example of that. “Harrison Bergeron,” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is about a world where everything is perfect and everyone is equal. Harrison, the “perfect” being that was forced to be detained because of how perfect he was, rebelled against this society but ultimately died in the end, since fairness apparently conquers all. “Harrison…

Harrison Bergeron versus 2081 We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson. We in the United State hold this line of the Declaration of Independence to be a pivotal part of our country. We have went to war many times to uphold the right that everyone to be equal. Many men and women have died to help ensure that…

that can occur in a society based exclusively on egalitarianism, nevertheless in the short story Harrison Bergeron (1961) by American author Kurt Vonnegut it gives a glimpse into what a society based on complete equality for all would look like. The story takes place in 2081 in a society where everyone is made equal by using handicaps on those who excel in anyway. The main character, Harrison Bergeron, does not agree with this handicapping policy and is willing to go to all ends to get rid of…

The short story, Harrison Bergeron written by Kurt Vonnegut, is a major warning to not only America, but also the world about equality. The ideal of equality is vastly spreading in today’s society. Vonnegut’s story is a good example on what absolute equality would look like. The whole story is based around the protagonist, Harrison Bergeron. Accompanying him is everyone else who is distracted by handicaps. Vonnegut achieves his main goals by explaining different themes, the use of characters,…