The similarities between the two stories, "Examination Day" by Henry Slesar and "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. shares the same theme of an "Orwellian" society where where being exceptionally smart and talented is frowned upon by the government. In some societies even today there are governments pursuing extreme conformity, and the subversion of competitiveness, abstract thought and creativity. These two aforementioned short stories touch on future, imagined societies were everyone is equal - even if that means giving out intentional handicaps or even ending the lives of those who would excel beyond their peers - In "Examination Day," the main character, Dickie, is given an intelligence test, and ultimately "fails" for being too…show more content… In "Examination Day," our main character, Dickie, is put to death at the age of 12 for having a naturally higher intelligence. His parents receive a cold, clinical phone call to notify them of this fact and are bluntly asked if they would like their young sons remains to be dealt with. Likewise, in "Harrison Bergeron," the main characters, a mother and father whose son has been imprisoned for having strength and intelligence, are forced to accept "handicaps" which are issued to them to make all people the same. Their son, who escapes prison, is shot to death on live television as his own parents watch on, in an effort to show the world what beauty, strength, or intelligence looks like when unhindered. Diana Moon Glampers, "The Governor Handicapper" mercilessly shoots Harrison with a shot gun while his parents watch, and only moments later they are left with only the feeling, not knowing that they just witnessed their own sons murder. Upon reading the two shorty stories, "Examination Day" and "Harrison Bergeron" it is evident that there are many similarities in the themes, imagery, and even the
