The science fiction works of “Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut and “The Pedestrian”, by Ray Bradbury are sarcastic portrayals of futuristic societies that are controlled by authoritative governments that have completely made their communities equal. Each of these stories take a look at the prospect of promoting sameness and conformity among all people, and questions the effects of the forced elimination of citizens’ individuality in order to maintain equality. In “The Pedestrian” Mr. Leonard Mead faces extreme consequences for his nightly stroll in the city. In the year 2053, Mead’s society has become completely taken over by televisions and the media. They have lost interest in exploring the outside world and no longer appreciate nature. …show more content…
Due to regulations instituted by the futuristic government, and enforced by the Handicapper General, all superior characteristics possessed by people were made obsolete, and the entire population became equally strong both mentally and physically. “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else,” (Vonnegut). Both of these stories describe the way of life the future could be like if the government is granted too much power. It shows us that we should keep limits on what the government should be able to do; find a happy medium between what is guiding people to have moral actions, and what is controlling people, such as a dictatorship. To conclude, the similarities between “The Pedestrian” and “Harrison Bergeron” were that, in the end, everyone became equal. Although in The Pedestrian, the main character was changed, it was implied to be so. Another similarity, is the majority of people were the same, but there was always one outlier. The differences however, are many. The Pedestrian takes place in 2053, while Harrison Bergeron in