Propaganda In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

1.)In dystopian literature, several key themes always stick out. One is that propaganda controls the citizens and that freedom is restricted. Another is an abstract 'concept' is worshiped, usually replacing the worship of god. Citizens also live in constant fear, and surveillance. Not only that, nature is feared, as is individuality. Throughout 'Harrison Bergeron' all of these characteristics are shown. Propaganda holds citizens captive, and an abstract concept is worshiped. This abstract concept is 'equality', with propaganda forcing all citizens to worship. As said in the story, “Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else.” This quotation shows that propaganda

Throughout 'Harrison Bergeron' equality is constantly being satirized. Even in the first line, equality is being mocked, “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal.”. Vonnegut is mocking the idea that complete equality is even possible. All throughout the story, the idea is mocked. For example, George is objectively smarter than Hazel. So, they are unequal. Harrison Bergeron is described as being “a man that would have awed Thor, god of thunder.”. Harrison, from this description, is objectively better looking than most. So, Harrison has an unequal relationship with everyone else in society. The first line in the short story is just made to mock the idea of equality since it is not true. Harrison is better than most, just as George is better than Hazel. Vonnegut uses satire to show even with government forced equality, inequality

There are two primary reasons for this, both shown in the short story of 'Harrison Bergeron'. The first is that even in a society in which equality is put upon an altar as 'God', inequality stills exists. For example, on the first page of the short story, the following is said, “Hazel had perfectly average intelligence, which meant she could not think of anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear.”. The preceding section tells readers that Hazel has less intelligence than George. Even with a handicap, George is still objectively smarter than Hazel. No government legislation can change that fact, it can only try to negate it. Legislative equality is also impossible because great men usually break the shackles the government puts on them. This is shown by Harrison, who “carried three hundred pounds” breaking free of his impediments. As said so eloquently by Harrison, ““Even as I stand here-” he bellowed, “crippled, hobbled, sickened- I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become.”” Even when the H-G men handicapped Harrison, he broke free of them. This shows the trend, even in dystopian societies with the threat of death looming over men, for greatness to break