Does The Government Have Too Much Control By Harrison Bergeron

Does the government control us? Harrison Bergeron is a short story where the authority has too much control. This story takes place in a world that has been over equalized. The year is 2081, and the government has made sure that everybody is "equal", if you are stronger, prettier, or more skilled than their set "average", they handicap and suppress these qualities.

In this story, the government has too much control. They use this control to limit people's choices and cause great unhappiness.

First and foremost, the government has too much power over people. Throughout the story, Hazel speaks often, although when she does it is strange, an example of this is " ‘that was a real pretty dance, that dance they just did’ … " (pg1) Notice not

Later in the book, "George was toying with the vague notion that ballerinas shouldn’t be handicapped, but he didn’t get too far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts George winced and so did two out of the eight ballerinas…" (pg2) The government has so much authority that people can’t even have their own opinions, now this might be good for their dreams of equality today but there will be consequences later when their society doesn't evolve. Furthermore, the government has so much dominance that people fear them. " ‘You been so tired lately kind of wore out’ said Hazel. If there was a way we could make a little hole in the bottom of the bag, and take out a few of them lead balls. Just a few.’ ‘Two years in

Here, people's choices and opinions are restricted. " ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ said the ballerina reading the bulletin… she had to apologize at once for her voice, which was a very unfair voice for a woman to have. Her voice was a warm, luminous, timeless melody. ‘Excuse me’ she said and began again making her voice completely "uncompetitive". ‘Harrison Bergeron age 14’ she said in a grackle squawk..." (pg3) People have to change because of government standards this inhibit their ability to be themselves and grow this is proved in the example above the ballerina needed to change her voice to be accepted . The government also regulates their lives in another way, in the story Harrison goes to jail No good person would ever let their child or anyone they love be taken away without a fight but Hazel and George can’t do anything about it due to Hazel's low iQ and George’s handicaps. This is worse than having limited choices; the government has taken away people's ability to care for and protect their children. Another example similar to the ballerinas is the musicians. Let me explain. In the story, Harrison forces the performer to play music, but at first they don’t play well; their music is low grade and tacky. The book tells us that this is the music they normally are required to play, because of the standards the authority has set. The musicians can’t play to the best of their abilities, which limits their