Harrison Bergeron Essay

Words: 425

Pages: 2

Open Document

I originally read Harrison Bergeron in 9th grade, so it was interesting to see how my perception of the story has changed since then. Upon reading this, I was drawn to the implied criticism of actual, total equality. As the story explores, people in the United States “were equal every which way” (Vonnegut 1). While I absolutely support general equality and equal opportunity, Harrison Bergeron draws attention to what would happen if the concept of equality was taken too far and individuality was no longer celebrated. In one quote, a character is described as having “perfectly average intelligence” (Vonnegut 1). The use of the word ‘perfectly’ implies that anyone with lower or higher intelligence is flawed. To me, the loss of individuality and ability to exercise talent or …show more content…
I think this area is where most of the speculative nature of the story is found. The creation of the Handicapper General and the various assigned handicaps are not reality, but rather an interpretation of a future that would arise if “true” equality was achieved. While the technology itself is not unimaginable in the slightest, the extreme governmental control is, and this political setting is what shapes the tone and my interpretation of the story as a reader. An example of the extent of the government lies in Diana Moon Glampers’ authority to shoot people who defied governmental expectations without any hesitation or consequences. What I find most interesting to think about in this story is whether or not Diana Moon Glampers has handicaps herself. If not, does this imply that she is not intelligent/strong/beautiful? Or, alternatively, does it imply that government officials are exempt from their own

harrison bergeron Essay

Analytical Essay of Harrison Bergeron Some people see the future having flying cars, robots, and peace. Kurt Vonnegut sees the future as a dark world and a prison. In his short story, Harrison Bergeron, Kurt Vonnegut writes about a world where the government plays the role of “equality” on the people, but the government is really using this falsity as an excuse to control the people in the society with handicaps. In the present, equality is what we strive for. We try to treat people equally…

Words 860 - Pages 4

Harrison Bergeron Essay

Harrison Bergeron Response Full and absolute equality has finally arrived. This includes a type of equality that many past generations have fought to have, whether it be women's rights, civil rights, gay and lesbian rights, etc. Some who have failed in this fight and others fulfilled partially, but now full equality throughout society, in the year 2081. “They weren’t only equal before God and the law, they were equal every which way” (Vonnegut) In the year 2081 all of society as become equal in…

Words 573 - Pages 3

Essay On Harrison Bergeron

Harrison Bergeron In the science fiction story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. we are 65 years into the future, where the government has made everyone equal. Harrison, being a fourteen year old boy, wanted to overthrow the handicapper generals and free everybody from the handicaps. Bergeron was an antagonist that was nefarious, athletic and opinionated. First of all, the ballerinas were all stopped as a news reporter interrupted. The man had a speech impediment and couldn’t read it, so one…

Words 552 - Pages 3

Harrison Bergeron and Handicapper General Essay

Compare and Contrast Essay A lot of books and movies are plotted around dystopian settings; The Lorax and Harrison Bergeron are prime examples of dystopic states and thus they will be used in this essay. It is clearly visible to see that they are dystopian societies but they have different dystopian characteristics that define how their societies function. They do this in similar and in different ways which are evident. Also there are differences between the two protagonists in the stories.…

Words 907 - Pages 4

Essay Comparing The Interlopers And Harrison Bergeron

“The Interlopers” and “Harrison Bergeron” are both interesting stories written by talented authors. In “The Interlopers” there are two enemies named Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym. Them and their families have been feuding for years. They were both after each other's blood. One day they were in the forest with rifles in their hands when a loud crash caused them to jump and get caught pinned underneath Ulrich’s snare. They argue for awhile as they wait for their soldiers to rescue them and finally…

Words 539 - Pages 3

Theme Analysis Essay: The Giver And Harrison Bergeron

Theme Analysis Essay: The Giver and Harrison Bergeron Rebellion: standing up and fighting for what's right. The Giver is a book about a controlled society. Everything is perfect, equal, and controlled. That is, until Jonas comes along. He is to be the Receiver of Memory; he receives memories of the past, and no one else, except the Giver, has to hold the burden of the painful, and pleasant, past. Jonas has a powerful urge to share his new feelings to his Community and the only way to do that is…

Words 448 - Pages 2

Argumentative Essay Harrison Bergeron: Life's Not Fair

Clay Lewis Ms. Clark English II 20 April 2017 Harrison Bergeron Argumentative Essay 3 Life’s Not Fair Life has never been fair since the beginning of time. How would people react if everything and everyone was equal in every way. In the story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., everyone is equal and no one is smarter, happier, prettier than anyone else. In the story, the people that are stronger or prettier or smarter are required to wear handicaps such as ear phones, masks…

Words 414 - Pages 2

Harrison Bergeron Symbolism Essay

a ton of symbolism in the short stories Harrison Bergeron written by Kurt Vonnegut, The Pedestrian by Ray Bradberry, and The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. Now, Harrison Bergeron, written by Kurt Vonnegut, is a story about someplace that is claimed to be an utopian society, when it really isn't. There is a boy, obligatorily named Harrison, that is in prison of suspicion to overthrow the government. There is one scene near the end of the where Harrison is stripping from his handicaps, which is…

Words 486 - Pages 2

Harrison Bergeron Rhetorical Essay

In Harrisson Bergeron, the handicaps, though meant to be a source of equality, prevent people from having free will, stripping them of their identity. Thus showing that equality is not truly achievable. As the narrator explains to the audience how the handicap system works, he states that they are used “to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.” The words ‘people like George’ are very telling to the kind of society this story is set in. It sets up George to be alienated…

Words 423 - Pages 2

Harrison Bergeron Essay On Equality

not all people should be identical in abilities. In Kurt Vonnegut’s futuristic and satirical short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” everyone is equal. Those who are smarter, stronger, and more beautiful than others are handicapped so that they are the equivalent of the most unintelligent, weakest, and most unattractive person in existence. The story follows a couple named George and Hazel Bergeron, and the reader can conclude from the amount of handicaps described, George is a very bright and brawny individual…

Words 505 - Pages 3