Those with Flying Machines are Quick to be Given Handicaps
Death and Punishment are used to control individual achievement, and shape society in both “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Flying Machine”. Despite similar methods, the societies in both stories strive to establish different versions of utopia, from total equality in “Harrison Bergeron”, to inequality in “The Flying Machine”. Individual achievement in both these stories is unacceptable, with those in charge preferring to keep talent muffled, rather than let it thrive. These methods of control also shape the main characters’ motivations. Those in a highly equal society fight for superiority, and recognition of their talent, while those living in a society rife with inequality unknowingly rebel for equal standing.
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Handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron” serve the purpose of maintaining equality. Handicaps prevent those with certain talents, or traits from outshining their brethren, preventing anyone from being superior to anyone else. This equality is used to preserve the status quo. In “The Flying Machine”, the emperor uses punishment to prevent equality, which he believes will soon escalate to superiority. With the execution of the flier, the emperor ensures that no one will have the power to destroy the Great Wall of China, and (by turn) threaten his empire. In “The Flying Machine” the emperor sees no reason for equality. Equality is a potential danger to his empire, a possibility for someone to gain more power than the emperor himself. Punishment in “The Flying Machine” is used in literally the opposite way of “Harrison Bergeron”. While those in “Harrison Bergeron” believe that chaos must be prevented by equality, “The Flying Machine” argues that a strong regime is needed, in order to prevent