How Does Harrison Bergeron Represent A Dystopian Society

Harrison Bergeron

“Harrison Bergeron” is a short story in which the author, Kurt Vonnegut, represents a dystopian society through complete equality and its dysfunctional effects. The talented writer, who was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922, shows much use of technology, science, and social behavior to develop and impact his short stories. Vonnegut’s love for writing began during his teenage years’ involvement with a daily newspaper at Shortridge High School. Through the connections built with writing, Vonnegut attended Cornell University in 1941 and wrote for the Cornell Sun as he studied biochemistry. Although he lacked interest in biochemistry, it may have sparked his ties to the brilliant science fiction works he has produced over

As the setting’s principal components rely on the lack of individualism and media portrayal, the plot functions to complete the dystopian world. “Harrison Bergeron’s” society cripple’s civilization through eradicating competition due to its obsession of equality. The governmental control, through physical and mental handicaps, restricts the potential for characters to exhibit their own personality, skills, and uniqueness. From the presentation of media, Vonnegut utilizes technology to desensitize facets of the real world to control his

As Alvarez put it, “the negative consequences of television, such as encouraging people to not think, forms a basis for the rest of the story” (Alvarez, para. 5). As the focused characters, Hazel and George, begin to think of a life with no handicaps, they rapidly change their minds, as George says “we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn’t like that, would you?” (Vonnegut, pg. 1182) This reference to the “dark ages” supports their belief of uniqueness and competing causing negative and detrimental contributions to