Harrison Bergeron Analysis Essay

Carter Bryce
Mrs. Ruiz
English 102: Literary Analysis
18 April 2023
Harrison Bergeron Literary Analysis "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut is a dystopian short story that depicts a society that has achieved complete equality at the sacrifice of individuality. The government has implemented measures to ensure that everyone is the same, and no one can have an unfair advantage over others. In this future world, people who are above average in any way, whether it be intelligence, beauty, or physical ability, are forced to wear handicaps that limit their abilities to the level of the average person. This has created a world where individuality is seen as a threat to the social order. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the danger of a

There is a part in the story where Harrison’s father George begins to think contrary to what the government would like. It states, “George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn’t be handicapped. But he didn’t get very far with it before another noise in his ear scattered his thoughts” (Vonnegut, page 1 ). In this excerpt, George is pondering on how the weights and masks hindered the dancers to the point of them not being good. When this idea enters his thoughts it is immediately scattered by a noise played in his earbuds. He is made to wear cumbersome weights and earbuds that make strange noises in an effort to obstruct his thinking. In order to prevent him from endangering others' equality, this is done to make him as average as possible. This exemplifies the extraordinary measures the government has taken to guarantee equality for all. But it has also led to a society that lacks originality, diversity, and innovation. Any idea contrary to what the government supports is immediately removed from George’s head. This shows to what lengths the government is willing to go to push their agenda and suppress the rights of the

The government in "Harrison Bergeron" has taken extreme measures to ensure that everyone is equal, but in doing so, it has created a society that is oppressive and controlling. The story shows that the government's attempt to create a utopia has backfired, and that its policies have led to the suppression of individuality and creativity. In the story George explains his views on his handicaps to his wife Hazel. Their interaction shows how the government has been able to brainwash its citizens and crush all of their independence. He says, “If I tried to get away with it,... then other people’d get away with it--and pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn't like that would you” (Vonnegut, page 2). Hazel notes that George has seemed extremely tired recently and she recommends to him that he removes a few of the lead weights from the bag of birdshot attached to him. He declines by explaining how great the consequences of his small action could be. This excerpt shows how brainwashed everyone has become, referring to a time of great freedom and progress as the “dark ages.” The people have grown accustomed to being treated like sheep and have lost all rights in the process. The story warns that a government that seeks to control every aspect of people's lives is a danger to individual