Equality In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

In Kurt Vonnegut’s, “Harrison Bergeron,” the author gives the reader a look into how being part of an equal society like that of 2081 is not as ideal as it seems. Vonnegut describes a society in which everyone is equal to one another in every aspect. No one is better looking or smarter than another. Along with this she expresses that having disabilities makes survival an easier task in the society. This piece demonstrates that equality, though a quintessential future, is not something really worth striving for and that the concept of equality itself is just a mistaken goal that is dangerous in the way it could be implemented and the consequences it could have.3
Equality remains as one of the most controversial topics of human society. Most …show more content…
It is demonstrated that the government has the capability to impact an individual’s actions in order to fulfill the government’s goals. This sort of situation is already seen in countries ruled by a dictatorship. As Vonnegut explains, a government has the power to influence its citizens to follow a system of total “equality”. Often citizens are afraid of what could occur if they defy their government. That is the situation presented for the citizens of the United States in 2081. The author describes the Bergeron’s situation as follows, “He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.” (Vonnegut, pg. 919). In this case, George faces cruel results because of the new laws being implemented by the government. The citizens refuse to go against the rules because they fear that the government will punish them severely just like they punish Harrison Bergeron as demonstrated later on in the story. Vonnegut expresses the power that government officials have over those they are above, and how dangerous such power could be if given to the wrong …show more content…
Among the estimated 7 billion people living on Earth today, there are no two people that will be similar to one another in such way to be called “equal.” The differences found among the population is what gives humanity its much admired beauty. Today, society views the brightest and best-looking people as the example of what everyone should strive to be like. Often men and women seek to better themselves in order to be similar to someone else. Now, in the perfect society no one would be better than anyone else. Everyone would be treated equal without worrying about others outperforming them. Vonnegut explains that in order for such a situation to occur people like Harrison Bergeron, who is described as “a genius and an athlete who is under-handicapped and should be regarded as extremely dangerous...” (Vonnegut. pg.920) would have to be limited in order for citizens to not feel the surpassed. Such a situation can be thought of as illogical, but as Vonnegut presents to the reader, those that strive for total equality have no real idea of what could occur if something goes wrong. Society would no longer view those with better skills, as the root for one’s

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