A Literary Analysis Of Anthem And Harrison Bergeron
Caden Fegel
Mrs. Anderson
Pre-AP English I
July 22, 2017
Literary Analysis
Over the years, dystopian novels have become a favorite for readers all over the world. People find it intriguing to read about future societies and how the characters act in these ways of life. The societies in these novels range from totalitarian governments or to a perfect society where everyone is equal to each other. The characters often find themselves in situations that make them imagine what it would be like if things were different in their society. This usually leads to the reader contemplating the same issues that the characters are faced with in the story. Ayn Rand’s science fiction novel Anthem and Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” put a substantial …show more content…
In Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, Equality 7-2521 states that in his secret tunnel “There is no odor of men” (Page 23). Only in the confinement of the tunnel is Equality free to pursue his own scientific ambitions. This freedom gives him the ability to explore the extent of his own intelligence and to develop his own identity. In the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Harrison abruptly burst into the TV studio were the news report is being broadcasted (Paragraph 9). Here Harrison publically explores the freedom that becomes available when an individual is not being restrained by handicaps. By dancing with the ballerina on live television, Harrison is showing his society just how mediocre their lives are with no competition and no ambition. While Harrison Bergeron and Equality 7-2521 both share in the belief of self-expression and ambition, Harrison acts in a much more public way in hopes of enacting change on his whole society while Equality follows his ambitions in the security of his secret …show more content…
Through her writing in Anthem, Ayn Rand expresses her believe in individualism and identity. As the story progresses, Equality becomes more aware of the fact that he is separate from his brothers and that he is entitled to his own thoughts and believes. Finally at the end of the story, Equality discovers the word “I” and instantly realizes the true extent of the individual. In “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut conveys the dangers involved with total equality. As the story goes on, the reader begins to realize that the people in this society are living extremely mediocre lives because of the elimination of competition and ambition. Overall, Ayn Rand and Kurt Vonnegut both created extraordinary pieces of literature that highlight the consequences of collectivism but promote the power of the
Mrs. Anderson
Pre-AP English I
July 22, 2017
Literary Analysis
Over the years, dystopian novels have become a favorite for readers all over the world. People find it intriguing to read about future societies and how the characters act in these ways of life. The societies in these novels range from totalitarian governments or to a perfect society where everyone is equal to each other. The characters often find themselves in situations that make them imagine what it would be like if things were different in their society. This usually leads to the reader contemplating the same issues that the characters are faced with in the story. Ayn Rand’s science fiction novel Anthem and Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” put a substantial …show more content…
In Ayn Rand’s novel Anthem, Equality 7-2521 states that in his secret tunnel “There is no odor of men” (Page 23). Only in the confinement of the tunnel is Equality free to pursue his own scientific ambitions. This freedom gives him the ability to explore the extent of his own intelligence and to develop his own identity. In the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Harrison abruptly burst into the TV studio were the news report is being broadcasted (Paragraph 9). Here Harrison publically explores the freedom that becomes available when an individual is not being restrained by handicaps. By dancing with the ballerina on live television, Harrison is showing his society just how mediocre their lives are with no competition and no ambition. While Harrison Bergeron and Equality 7-2521 both share in the belief of self-expression and ambition, Harrison acts in a much more public way in hopes of enacting change on his whole society while Equality follows his ambitions in the security of his secret …show more content…
Through her writing in Anthem, Ayn Rand expresses her believe in individualism and identity. As the story progresses, Equality becomes more aware of the fact that he is separate from his brothers and that he is entitled to his own thoughts and believes. Finally at the end of the story, Equality discovers the word “I” and instantly realizes the true extent of the individual. In “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut conveys the dangers involved with total equality. As the story goes on, the reader begins to realize that the people in this society are living extremely mediocre lives because of the elimination of competition and ambition. Overall, Ayn Rand and Kurt Vonnegut both created extraordinary pieces of literature that highlight the consequences of collectivism but promote the power of the