Harrison Bergeron Critical Lens Essay

“The Story Of a Houf” by Kate Chopin and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut dwell into the the similar themes of societal constraints by providing new insight throughout both stories for us to perceive the human mind more differently. Through the examination of Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story Of an Hour” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” readers can grasp the central idea of societal constraints and try to take possession of individualism, both stories show readers tension in societal norms. Firstly, readers can grasp a fraction of the primary theme in Harrison Bergeron by how the author depicts and describes his story throughout. The primary theme is that if us humans have absolute equality, then dangers would quickly follow due

353) This quote depicts the very emotions that coursed through her body when she found out that her husband was dead, the immense salvation she felt shows that she was yearning for that freedom for a while. This quote also shows that weight has been lifted off her shoulders, and that this relief causes her to live more independently without the burden of societal pressure. Another quote that proves this thesis is "There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself." Chopin pg 352: This quote shows the reader that she is aware that she can live for herself and have the independence that comes with it. “.she would live for herself.” shows just how she used to live for others expectations and trying to please others and her husband, but now she has no constraints holding her back from having her personal freedom. A quote that shows the change that happened to her throughout is "She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength." Chopin pg. -. 352) This quote is when she was still with her husband and it shows that she felt trapped in this relationship and pressured to fulfill his needs due to societal

Readers can interpret this as her feeling so much freedom and liberation beforehand that she sought her personal freedom even more. “The Story Of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and “Harrison Begeron” by Kurt Vonnegut share similarities despite being different settings and approaches. They both share and explore the same theme of addressing societal issues and show how individuality and freedom help humans express themselves in ways that people.Throughout “The Story Of an Hour’ readers can see that Mrs. Mallard experiences freedom and self control for the first time when her husband dies. She didn't know how to feel at first, but due to the freedom of societal constraints she learned how to live with this freedom and use the most of it. “She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.” (Chopin 353) this explains her independence, but it is cut short when her husband returns which causes her to have “heart disease—of joy that kills.” (Chopin 353) this shows the constraints being put back on her when he