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Harrison Bergeron: Living A Lie

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Living a Lie: The Effects of Society on an Individual
By: Dwight B.
The correlation between truth and ideals is one of great importance in how an individual asserts himself in society. Individuals may have hard times expressing themselves in society if they believe in cause that those around them do not. In Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr, the idealism of others has a direct influence on what individuals know to be true of their lives. In other words how a person lives is directly impacted by the models of their society. The philosophies of those important in society compared to those of an individual who may have differing ideas on life may create peace or could lead to hatred.
How leaders of societies rule can vary from capitalistic …show more content…

Harrison Bergeron, fourteen, is held in jail based on suspicion of him “plotting to overthrow the government.” (3) Harrison is aware of the ideals of his society because he is “genius and an athlete, [and] is under-handicapped” (3) he is regarded as extremely dangerous. Harrison is oppressed because he is attempting to stand up for himself. “Nobody [has] ever worn heavier handicaps… In the race of life Harrison [carries] three hundred pounds” (3). Harrison is a serious threat to the government because he has the power to overthrow the government. In order to prevent a potential rebellion Harrison is punished by being thrown in jail and seriously handicapped. The handicaps inflicted by the leaders of this society, Diana Moon Glampers, provoke the notion that this society is all one big …show more content…

“I don’t notice it any more… It’s just a part of me” (2), George Bergeron replied to his wife while the two discuss how George’s handicaps affect his body. George is seriously handicapped; he wears a forty-seven pound bag of birdshot around his neck and has a radio in his head that blasts sounds to prevent him from thinking too much. The moment Harrison attempted to break free of this lie he stand on stage and declared “I am the Emperor… I am a greater ruler than any man who has ever lived!” (4). Harrison broke free from his handicaps, rebelling against the government and trying to go against the norm of the society. Harrison’s celebration is cut short by a disgusted Handicapper general who “Fired twice… and the emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor” (5). The celebration of rebellion between two individuals standing up to the government being killed is symbolical of the type of society Harrison Bergeron is set in. The society in which the civilians are dominated by a figure who ensures that nobody has any sense of how they can control their own lives.
Ideals of dominating regimes can force individuals to forget their personal values in order to follow certain regulations that are enforced strictly. The ways those important in society value certain ideas compared to those of an individual who may have differing ideas

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