Harrison Bergeon
ENC 1102
29 September 2013
Harrison Bergeron: The Danger of Total Equality
Individuality is a person’s most precious virtue. Many would say that one’s individuality is the most unique of footprints to leave on this earth. A human being’s natural attributes are what the world thrives upon. The Declaration of Independence states, “All men are created equal” and Kurt Vonnegut’s story Harrison Bergeron, explores and executes this notion with such brutality that it causes reasonable apprehension to the idea of conformity. The dangers of enforced, total equality are exposed through the use of symbolism, imagery, and characterization in this short story.
Vonnegut uses a couple of symbols throughout the story. Nonetheless the most abundant symbol is actually Harrison, in the sense that he embodies the part of the American people that still yearn to display their qualities, and outdo others around them. “He is much more intelligent, more physically capable, and better looking than the rest of society, and even though he is only 14, he is imprisoned as a threat”. The government does everything in its power to diminish Harrison, however none of the government’s obstructions can cripple the young Harrison. His parents, on the other hand, do not have the same yearn for life. It seems that they have succumbed to the regulations of the “new world” as exemplified by statement made by George Bergeron. When asked if he wanted to rest the forty-seven pound bag that is padlocked around his neck, “I don’t notice it any more. It’s just a part of me.
In addition to symbols, Vonnegut also utilizes both visual and auditory imagery throughout the story, weaving it in and out, so that the reader may obtain visual imageries and gain a firmer stance on the theme of the story. The “above average intelligence” characters in Harrison Bergeron are burdened with either mental and or physical handicaps, placed by the United States Handicapper General (H-G), in order to make society
29 September 2013
Harrison Bergeron: The Danger of Total Equality
Individuality is a person’s most precious virtue. Many would say that one’s individuality is the most unique of footprints to leave on this earth. A human being’s natural attributes are what the world thrives upon. The Declaration of Independence states, “All men are created equal” and Kurt Vonnegut’s story Harrison Bergeron, explores and executes this notion with such brutality that it causes reasonable apprehension to the idea of conformity. The dangers of enforced, total equality are exposed through the use of symbolism, imagery, and characterization in this short story.
Vonnegut uses a couple of symbols throughout the story. Nonetheless the most abundant symbol is actually Harrison, in the sense that he embodies the part of the American people that still yearn to display their qualities, and outdo others around them. “He is much more intelligent, more physically capable, and better looking than the rest of society, and even though he is only 14, he is imprisoned as a threat”. The government does everything in its power to diminish Harrison, however none of the government’s obstructions can cripple the young Harrison. His parents, on the other hand, do not have the same yearn for life. It seems that they have succumbed to the regulations of the “new world” as exemplified by statement made by George Bergeron. When asked if he wanted to rest the forty-seven pound bag that is padlocked around his neck, “I don’t notice it any more. It’s just a part of me.
In addition to symbols, Vonnegut also utilizes both visual and auditory imagery throughout the story, weaving it in and out, so that the reader may obtain visual imageries and gain a firmer stance on the theme of the story. The “above average intelligence” characters in Harrison Bergeron are burdened with either mental and or physical handicaps, placed by the United States Handicapper General (H-G), in order to make society
Cited: Mowery, Carl. "An overview of 'Harrison Bergeron, '." Gale Online Encyclopedia. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Literature Resource Center. Web. 1 Oct. 2013. Labin, Linda L. "Harrison Bergeron." Literary Reference Center Plus. Salem Press, Jan. 2004. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. Vonnegut, Kurt. “Harrison Bergeron.” Literature. 12th ed. 2013. 231-36 Print.