Examples Of A Dystopian Society In Harrison Bergeron

In 2081, imagine a perfect dystopian society, where everyone was equal, individuality would no longer exist, and one’s humane characteristics would be controlled by handicaps that monitored one’s every visions, thoughts, and motions. Life would be perfect, right? If this theory were true, individuality would be hindered and the fear of change would up rise, causing a struggle of growth among society. In the short story, the setting displays a dystopian society that emphasizes the need for equality. Harrison Bergeron, a martyr, tries to provoke individuality in a conformed society by breaking free of his chains but is killed in the act. In the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, emphasis on equality in a dystopian society affects

Dystopia, which could be defined as a fantasied futuristic society, is perceived as an illusion of perfection and controlled by an organized government. However, dystopia dehumanizes its citizens and portrays the worst case scenarios, restricting individuality. In Harrison Bergeron, citizens are supervised daily and disabled from their beauty, intelligence, and strength according to the 211th, 212th and 213th Amendment ofto the Constitutions and the United States Handicapper Generals. These restrictions mold society into viewingstructure society to view ideas with one perspective, which limits creativity and growth among citizens. In Harrison Bergeron, a dystopian society is clearly used by dehumanizing citizens through loud noise monitors called handicappers. Handicappers structure society by hindering thought provoking ideas or physical advantages that one might obtain. George explains to Hazel the risk of breaking the handicap laws, “If I tried to get away with it," said George, "then other people get away with it-and pretty soon we'd be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else”

Harrison was born with strong masculinity, attractiveness, intelligence and society disables these attributes in order eradicate the competition. Harrison is forced to wear handicaps and was brutally murdered for his attempt to overthrow the government by exposing the harsh reality that too much equality can do more harm than good. Harrison’s struggle with society can be seen when he “[h]ad outgrown hindrances faster than the H-G men could think them up [...] whanging headaches besides”, giving a broader look on why he was outcast (Vonnegut). Harrison escapes this conformed idea of egalitarianism and tears “[the] straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper” (Vonnegut), in front of the audience and townsmen. Townspeople were also disabled and restricted from obtaining thought provoking ideas, but some knew that things weren’t quite perfect. For example, “Some things about living still weren't quite right, though. April for instance, still drove people crazy by not being springtime” (Vonnegut). Spring is a time for change, people change, trees grow and flowers blossom, however since everybody is conformed to think and act a certain way, people know that there is something wrong but hindering individuality prevents change from occurring. Hattenhauer concludes this idea when he states,“[t]he narrator continues to give not a possible egalitarianism of the future but