Harrison Bergeron Essay

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In a world of control and a society ridden with freedom, the short story “Harrison Bergeron” shows the underlying effects that the external factors of a totalitarian government can have on the individuality of a person. From start to finish of this text, this dystopian society is brought down to a level of equality. The physical and mental elements that encompass an individual are leveled to an average to fulfill this “utopia” of equality, “... everybody is finally equal. They weren’t equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody is smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else” (Vonnegut). Thereafter, we are introduced to the control system known as handicaps, the output of which is the controller or the authority of this society. Ranging …show more content…
However, his small but impactful introduction on television is only a portion of what his true essence as an individual is. As a result of this absolute equality, we aren’t aware of his interests, his likings, his personal goals, or even his appearance until his rebellion against the handicaps. This society had only introduced him as this maniacal, law-breaking citizen, yet in actuality, he may be much more than what is presented. This case is especially true in the case of Hazel, Bergeron’s mother. Hazel is a personal demonstration of how this society can show the dangers of a totally equal society. Although she doesn’t show any major threat to the force that keeps this society “in check,” her maternal and personal relationship with her criminal son shows how she’s truly lost herself as a result of this total equality crusade, “George came back in again with the beer, paused while a handicap signal shook him

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