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In the year 2081, all of society is compelled to achieve a state of absolute equality. In Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s poignant short story, Harrison Bergeron, individuals are burdened with "handicaps" that ensure uniformity among them. These handicaps range from wearing weights around the neck to concealing one's beauty behind a mask, and even a device in the ear to curtail excessive thinking.
“Nobody was smarter than anyone else; nobody was better looking than anyone else; nobody was stronger or quicker than anyone else.
All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments that were added to the Constitution.” (Vonnegut 369) Harrison Bergeron serves as a stark portrayal of the potential control exerted by a government and the ramifications a society could face when every individual is forced into identical molds.
The narrative revolves around three central characters: Hazel, George, and the eponymous Harrison Bergeron. George is compelled to wear an earpiece preventing excessive thinking due to his elevated intelligence.
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Hazel, possessing perfectly average intelligence, can only engage in short bursts of thought. Harrison, their son, was captured at the age of fourteen by the H-G government, endowed with athleticism and striking good looks.
His handicaps were particularly severe, involving headphones instead of an earpiece, vision-obscuring spectacles, and carrying around three hundred pounds of metal. “To offset his good looks he was forced to wear a red nose, shave off his eyebrows, and to cover his white teeth with black caps.” (Vonnegut 372) The story unfolds as Hazel and George watch a television broadcast announcing Harrison Bergeron's escape from prison.
The broadcast portrays Harrison as extremely dangerous, flashing images of him on the screen.
George, recognizing his son, is quickly distracted by a painful collision in his ear. When he opens his eyes, the image of Harrison is replaced by a live broadcast showing him declaring, “I am the Emperor!” Harrison, having discarded his handicaps, proceeds to free the empress and musicians from their restraints, showcasing his immense strength and charisma.
However, the narrative takes a tragic turn when Diana Moon Glampers, the handicapper general, enters the scene armed with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. In a swift and brutal act, she eliminates the Emperor and the Empress. “She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor.” (Vonnegut 374) Shortly after, the Bergerons' television goes silent, leaving George to discover Hazel in tears.
Due to their handicaps, George and Hazel fail to remember that the slain Emperor was their son, Harrison, a fact revealed on the television. The enforced equality in this society has resulted in widespread intellectual suppression, diminished cognitive abilities, and an unquestioning adherence to the law driven by the fear of punitive consequences. Harrison, with his awareness of his own intelligence, athleticism, and looks, stands as a formidable figure capable of challenging the oppressive system.
When Harrison escapes from prison, defying the law, his potential to rule becomes more apparent. The majority, still bound by the constraints of the law, would find it challenging to resist his leadership. With his strength and rebellion, Harrison briefly assumes the role of an “Emperor.”
Foreshadowing is evident when Hazel and George discuss the idea of removing the weight from George's neck. George, cautious of the repercussions, explains that such an act would lead to widespread defiance, eventually reverting society to a state where everyone competes against each other. Hazel, when asked about the consequences for society, grimly predicts, “Reckon it’d fall all apart.” (Vonnegut 371)
The government, aware that Harrison's influence could spark rebellion, eliminates him. The televised killing serves as a stark warning, illustrating the dire consequences of disobedience. A sedated, handicapped society proves easier to control. Harrison Bergeron effectively illustrates the potential consequences of enforcing absolute equality, exposing the control a government could exert over a society.
Advocates for equality often overlook the inherent uniqueness of individuals. While the notion of universal equality may be enticing, Harrison Bergeron highlights the overlooked repercussions. An equal society, achieved through enforced weakness and conformity, grants the government unprecedented power. The story prompts us to consider the often-neglected question: What would it truly take for everyone to be equal?
If everyone were compelled to be identical, life would lose its diversity and sense of adventure. The charm of uniqueness would be replaced by a monotonous sameness. An equal society necessitates consequences for those who rebel against the law, reinforcing the need for handicaps to maintain uniformity. However, this also opens the door for excessive government control, potentially leading to unforeseen problems.
Harrison Bergeron serves as a vivid depiction of the influence a government can wield over a society, emphasizing the dangers inherent in the pursuit of absolute equality. In pondering the narrative's implications, it becomes evident that the beauty of life lies in its diversity and individuality. Forced equality, as depicted in Vonnegut's narrative, threatens to rob society of these essential elements.
As we delve deeper into the narrative, it is essential to recognize the subtle nuances that Vonnegut employs to convey the broader societal implications. The notion of handicaps becomes a metaphor for the suppression of individual potential. George, the character burdened with an earpiece limiting his intelligence, represents the stifling of intellectual prowess to maintain the facade of equality.
Hazel, with her average intelligence confined to short bursts of thought, exemplifies the consequences of enforced mediocrity. The society depicted in Harrison Bergeron has sacrificed the pursuit of excellence for the sake of uniformity, breeding a population incapable of reaching its full intellectual and creative potential.
Furthermore, the character of Harrison himself embodies the rebellion against this stifling conformity. His athletic prowess and striking good looks, hidden behind layers of handicaps, symbolize the innate desire for individual expression and the suppression of natural talents. The government's extreme measures to eliminate Harrison when he escapes signify the threat posed by those who dare to defy the established order.
Examining the societal consequences, it becomes apparent that a population deprived of individuality is more susceptible to manipulation and control. The government's ability to dictate the narrative through controlled media, exemplified by Diana Moon Glampers' televised execution of Harrison, illustrates the power dynamics at play.
One cannot ignore the parallels between the fictional world of Harrison Bergeron and real-world scenarios where governments seek to control narratives and suppress dissenting voices. The story serves as a cautionary tale, urging readers to reflect on the delicate balance between equality and individual freedom.
While the pursuit of equality is a noble endeavor, Harrison Bergeron forces us to question the means by which it is achieved. Is absolute equality worth sacrificing the richness of human diversity and the freedom to pursue individual aspirations? The story prompts us to consider alternative paths to societal harmony that celebrate differences rather than stifling them.
In conclusion, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.'s Harrison Bergeron is not merely a tale of a dystopian future but a thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of enforced equality. Through the characters of George, Hazel, and Harrison, Vonnegut paints a vivid picture of a society shackled by its own pursuit of sameness. The narrative challenges us to critically examine the trade-offs between equality and individual freedom, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity and allowing each individual to reach their full potential.
A Critical Analysis of Harrison Bergeron. (2016, Apr 15). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/equality-in-kurt-vonneguts-short-story-harrison-bergeron-essay
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