Equality In Harrison Bergeron - 807 Words

The short story â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., is set in 2081, a future where the 211th-213th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution enforce â€Å"total equality.† This is not equality of rights as we assume the Constitution is supposed to protect. This is a kind of social equality that wants every person to be like everyone else, so it is really talking about conformity, not equality. In the story, people who are smarter than average, or stronger, or more talented in any way are forced to suffer a handicap. For example, Harrison’s father, George, is forced to listen to a disturbing sound in his brain to prevent him from thinking about what is happening around him. Harrison himself is so talented that he has multiple handicaps†¦show more content†¦The story focuses on the parents of an extraordinary teenager, Harrison Bergeron, and also on Harrison himself. â€Å"The rest of Harrison’s appearance was Halloween and hardware. Nobod y had ever born heavier handicaps.† Because Harrison is really a genius, he stands out even though he has handicaps. He manages to overcome every barrier, and this makes him seem dangerous to his society because he is a nonconformist. When Harrison rebels and breaks out, he is eventually killed. His mother sees this on television and starts to cry. â€Å" ‘You’ve been crying,’ he said to Hazel. ‘Yup,’ she said. ‘What about?’He said. ‘I forget,’ she said, ‘something real sad on television†¦..’ ‘Forget sad things,’ said George. ‘I always do,’ said Hazel.† This illustrates the problems with this society. The parents cannot even mourn their son’s death because they can not remember what has just happened, because of the handicaps on them. On the other hand the government thought this would be a good way to control people and make them conform because no one with e nough intelligence could remember, or think about something for along time without a horrible sound causing them to lose their thought. Because no one could remember, then no one could protest. â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† was written in 1961, and this was a time of great fear in America because of the Cold War politics that made everyone worry about a possible war with the Soviet Union (now Russia). From the late 1940s into theShow MoreRelatedEquality In Harrison Bergeron864 Words   |  4 PagesJr’s futuristic story, â€Å" Harrison Bergeron†, is in the year 2081, where everyone is equal. No one was smarter or stronger than anyone else. No one was better looking than anyone else. Everyone was exactly the same. Harrison Bergeron is a 14 year old boy who had absolutely hates how equal everyone was. Harrison was stronger, smarter, handsome, and bigger than everyone else. Harrison was the opposite of being average. He plans to override the government and forbid equality so that the people can beRead MoreThe Importance Of Equality In Harrison Bergeron888 Words   |  4 Pageseveryone’s abilities equal. However, human equality isn’t always nece ssarily having the same abilities or limits. To be equal to everyone is also being treated and thought about the same as every person. It also means that you have the same power as everyone. It is impossible for everyone to have the same capabilities, even with devices created to put a limit to your abilities. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† Diana Moon Glampers attempted to create equality by making gifted people wear devices calledRead MoreThe Dangers of Total Equality in Harrison Bergeron759 Words   |  3 PagesKurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† tells the story of an unbelievably talented young man that defies the constraints of total equality in futuristic America, year 2081. Because of the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments, all citizens are subjected to a communist like state where everyone is made to be equal in beauty, physique, and intelligence. Throughout â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† symbols such as Harrison’s defiance of the law , his physical attributes, and the setting presents the theme of the storyRead MoreEquality And Diversity In Kurt Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron1263 Words   |  6 Pagessociety should value both equality and diversity. Equality is justice. Diversity is individuality. Equality gives rights. Diversity enriches culture. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideally progressive America. As equality in our society has increased, we have viewed it as progress. However, diversity has often been a source of conflict in our society. Jealousy, confusion, anger, and so many negative emotions have arisen from our differences and slowed the progress of equality. Perhaps, diversity shouldRead MoreEquality Is Not Ideal In Harrison Bergeron, By Kurt Vonnegut1004 Words   |  5 PagesEquality Is Not Ideal Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant story, â€Å"Harrison Bergeron,† takes place in the year 2081. Thanks to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments â€Å"Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else†(Vonnegut 1). Everyone seems to have equal looks and abilities but to make this happen; they have to limit people so they can be equal to other people. People with natural beauty, gifted intelligence, or high strength have to use handicaps so they canRead MoreEquality In Harrison Bergeron, The Scarlet Ibis, And Brownies884 Words   |  4 Pagesdoesn’t sound good to me I don’t think everyone should be treated equally. Harrison Bergeron, The Scarlet Ibis, and Brownies all share this in common they want people to be equal and when they try to treat people as equal they sometimes don’t take into concentration some things about them or if they have different ways about them or if they are taking away from what w e could have in the world. In Harrison Bergeron they deal with everyone being treated equal and they go to great lengthsRead MoreHarrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut Essay1565 Words   |  7 Pages Harrison Bergeron is a story written by Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut’s story is a warning to the world about the quest of equality, which is spreading all round in many nations with America on the lead. The story shows the reader how the equality issue can have negative impacts on people’s individuality, and the society. The story revolves around the protagonist, Harrison Bergeron who is an archetypical symbol that represents defiance, and individuality. He is used to represent the people who willRead MoreAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. s Harrison Bergeron1500 Words   |  6 Pagesactions of others, as we make choices in an effort to satisfy others and ourselves. Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† offers a dark insight into an idealistic utopia, and the consequences of a ruthlessly equitable society. Although equality provides a beneficial component to a desirable society, forcing it upon society would ultimately be at the expense of individuality. I nitially, Harrison Bergeron is physically constrained by society, however through his willful arrogance and determination to gainRead MoreAnalysis Of Kurt Vonnegut s Harrison Bergeron 935 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† Kurt Vonnegut reveals the truth about world. Vonnegut farther explains how humankind is controlled by America’s first amendment of everyone being created equal. The main character of the story, also a protagonist Harrison Bergeron aims to let the world know what is truly happening to them. He is killed by an antagonist Dianna Moon Clampers who is a handicapper general. The futuristic short story is written in a third person omniscient. It’s told y a narrator who seems to knowRead MoreEssay on Communism and Kurt Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron977 Words   |  4 Pagesheavily relate to â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†. Communisms main idea is to keep the corporations from having too much power; as well as making everything equal. Com munisms structure differs from â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†, but they both share a lot of characteristics. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† the government is given way to much power and forces everyone to become equal. Communism also differs greatly from our U.S. government and acts in many different ways. Communism ensures a lot of power and equality, as well as in