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Harrison Bergeron Essay

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“Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a short story based on a dystopian world of total equality. People are forced to wear handicaps that suppress their abilities in order to be equal to everyone else. Total equality may seem like a good thing, but in this story, the reality of it is shown, it would be a terrible way to live. The theme of “Harrison Bergeron” is that complete equality creates many problems and can even bring with it danger. This is important to the story because in this world, the total equality that is being forced upon the citizens is limiting their physical and mental abilities, which can be dangerous to their bodies and their well-being. Total equality is also ruining society and causing issues around the world. The theme …show more content…

In the beginning of the story, after George and Hazel were watching the ballerinas on the television, it states, “He tried to think a little about the ballerinas. but he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ears scattered his thoughts.” (Vonnegut 1) This says that George tried his best to be able to think about the ballerinas, but his thoughts were suppressed by the handicaps, to stop him from thinking too much. This defies his basic human right of life and being able to have your own opinions and express them. When his mind is being handicapped this way, his mind is suppressed to only be able to think about what the government allows him to do. This is unfair and it doesn't let people have the freedom to do what they want, if they can not even think long enough to decide. This can cause bad mental health, since he is unable to have hobbies that might interest him, without being disrupted by a piercing …show more content…

This can disrupt the function of the world and make it more difficult for people to live their daily lives because they are unable to access information easily and unable to receive news in the world. When they are unable to perform their job correctly, it can cause problems. This can cause issues in the world and issues in society. In the middle of the story when George and Hazel are discussing George's handicaps, it says “‘The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?’. ‘Reckon it’d fall apart,’ said Hazel.” (Vonnegut 3) This tells us that George thinks if anyone would cheat these laws, society would fall apart. If this is the case, it puts the society in danger, as many people rebel, and people won't always follow the rules. If society can be broken apart easily, it isn't a strong society, and it needs to change. This total equality is causing the people to live in a weak society. It is very dangerous for the people of the world and the people of the

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