The handicaps serve as a tool to suppress intellectual thinking that may lead to uncovering of the government's flaws. This is a paradox that appears to mock how socialism really ends
How does the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by author Kurt Vonnegut, incorporate the common characteristics of dystopian literature? The short story “Harrison Bergeron” by author Kurt Vonnegut, typifies the characteristics commonly associated with dystopian literature. Whereas in the text, everyone is described as the same. “They were equal every which way.” (Vonnegut 1), In which “The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.”
Though Vonnegut has to hide his true feelings behind satire for the majority of “Harrison Bergeron,” we may get an indication of his true intent in George’s statement “pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again”(Vonnegut 228) if handicaps were eliminated. Hattenhauer points out that Vonnegut’s non-fiction stories are consistently leftist (387). Vonnegut dedicated his book, Hocus Pocus, to Eugene Debs, and used Debs’ quote, “While there is a lower class I am in it” (Hattenhauer 387). Debs’ quote is evident as to where Vonnegut’s views lie. “Vonnegut is considered to be a liberal thinker, not consistent with libertarian and conservative views” (Stuckey 85).
In the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut the main message or propaganda is that all the people are all the same no one was treated different. Vonnegut appeals to the audience through ethos and uses the rhetorical devices and literary devices of hyperbole and understatement to support the propaganda. The propaganda (message) in the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut is that all people are created equal and nobody should be treated differently. “All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution”.
Harrison’s egotistic character in “Harrison Bergeron” evolves into a clustered ball of power and control. Throughout the passage from Kurt Vonnegut, the narrator aims to reveal the “emperor” the character Harrison wishes to be. Vonnegut discloses a tone of negativity at the beginning of the story, pertaining Harrison’s character complexion. This negativity originates from the dystopian society’s view of Harrison’s essential arrogance.
An example of these handicaps is George’s ear piece, a radio that transmits an interval of loud noises that prevents him from “taking unfair advantages of his brain”. The government believes this is a solution to abolish all discriminations brought upon citizens for lack of a certain attribute.
In 1961, America was undergoing two major events, the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement. These two events would go on to be a prominent theme in Kurt Vonnegut’s writing. Harrison Bergeron is the short story to highlight these two movements. Vonnegut uses dramatic irony to go forth and essentially twist the meaning of equality. In his world, equality means dragging everyone down to the same, average level.
One common afternoon in the year of 2081, when everyone was equal, Hazel and George Bergeron were in their lovely living room watching television. Suddenly, a news reporter with a severe speech impediment came on. After trying many times to say, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen,” he handed it off to a ballerina who read, “Harrison Bergeron, age 14, has just escaped from jail, where he was held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous.” However, in this short story “Harrison Bergeron”, Kurt Vonnegut uses irony, shift and mood, and allusion to illustrated haw society would be if everyone was under the law of equality.
“Beep, beep, beep, beep,” A green hand, about the size of a basketball slithered out of the bed and some covers and picked up the alarm clock and slammed it onto the ground. It shattered into a million pieces and the green hand slithered back into it’s resting place. “Uhhhhhhhhhhh!!!” The creature shrieked as it threw up it’s coffee stained covers. And sluggishly got out of bed.
Harrison Bergeron: An In-Depth Analysis Kurt Vonnegut Jr. published his science fiction short story “Harrison Bergeron” in 1961. Vonnegut’s timing for the publishing of Harrison Bergeron ironically happened during the “era that was marked by the Vietnam war, anti-war protests, and the civil rights movement.” (history.com). The author of “Harrison Bergeron” uses a man versus society conflict woven into a multitude of deep symbols to illustrate his version of dystopian America into a digestible short story that readers of all ages can ponder. There are a wide range of abundant symbols appearing in this short story, including but not limited to the United States Constitution and even the month of April.
. Falling into the category of dystopian, “Harrison Bergeron” displays many different aspects that call forth this classification. Typically displaying characteristics such as an unnaturally dark setting, an uneasy and often oppressive atmosphere, and usually rebellion, dystopian literature portrays some of the worst possible scenarios for the future, should we continue to follow whatever path the author sees the world on. Within the story, an unsettling atmosphere that is both dark and oppressed is portrayed throughout the exposition. Descriptions of the setting and how equal the people were in that society, especially pertaining to the handicaps help tremendously in creating this form of atmosphere.
Kurt Vonnegut uses characterization to describe how the characters act in this society. Vonnegut also uses style to show how he uses science fiction and dystopia in “Harrison Bergeron”. The theme demonstrated in “Harrison Bergeron” is equality is not meant to make one person better than another. Kurt Vonnegut in “Harrison Bergeron”, demonstrates that equality based on characteristics is not a good thing for society. Harrison Bergeron is a short story based on the year 2081, where everybody is equal.
The Handicapper General's agents enforce these laws by forcing citizens to wear "handicaps": hideous masks for those that are considered too good-looking, loud ear implants that disrupt the thoughts of those considered too intelligent, and heavy weights on those considered to be
If someone is deemed above average, they are brought to a similar fate as George Bergeron; “George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times.” (Vonnegut 1). They are brought unwillingly down to a similar level of potential in life as everyone else. People are not meant to succeed beyond others, they are simply forced to be able to perform a job in a somewhat robotic fashion of exactly the same as everyone else.
As the first person in my family to attend college, I realized how privileged my life has been and how much higher education could make a difference to me and my family. Being excited, I embarked on a journey to improving writing, communication and critical thinking, and exploring innovative ideas for personal development and social values. This remarkable experience inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. My goal is to develop a better understanding of research and teaching, thus building a skill set to fulfill my aspiration while serving in the academic field.
