Intolerant societies, poor leadership, and conformity are three themes that run through A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials by Jess Blumberg, Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, and The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. The three works reflect the destructive impact of social norms when they are imposed without reason, ruthlessly enforced, or blindly accepted. This synthesis essay will explore these themes in greater detail, drawing on key quotes and incidents from each text to illustrate the dangers inherent in conformity and intolerant behavior. Intolerance is a dominant theme in A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials by Jess Blumberg. Despite the lack of evidence against the accused individuals, the residents of Salem were quick to condemn …show more content…
The government enforces a system of intense levelling, resulting in an equal distribution of intelligence and wealth, regardless of merit. The Handicapper General is tasked with ensuring conformity to this system and maintaining its oppressive status quo. Vonnegut writes, "The H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron's fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away" (Vonnegut, 3). This quote highlights the consequences of inept leadership: the loss of individuality and the complete erosion of any semblance of control or personal …show more content…
Blumberg writes, "Several of the accused had close ties to one another and a long-standing grudge against the Putnams" (Blumberg, 1). This quote highlights the personal vendettas that drove the accusations and underscores how easily societal norms can be weaponized against individuals through manipulation and coercion. The trials resulted in significant harm to the accused and their families due to unchecked hostility. Harrison Bergeron portrays how poor leadership can lead to a loss of individuality and personal choice. Vonnegut writes, "It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun" (Vonnegut, 6). This quote demonstrates the oppressive nature of the government's attempts to maintain order, even at the expense of the citizen's rights and freedoms. The government's actions contribute to the intellectual and emotional suppression of people, making them more susceptible to living in