Symbolism And Irony In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

The narrative "Harrison Bergeron" is a piece of dystopian fiction wherein the government decides to enforce complete equality between its citizens. Although the story is told from a third person limited point of view, the story mainly focuses on Harrison, a fugitive of the law. George and Hazel, the parents of Harrison, are the only characters the author has omniscient insight on. As a result of striving for complete equality the government has complete control over people's actions and thoughts to be certain no one has an "unfair advantage" over others by making them wear handicaps. In Kurt Vonnegut's story, "Harrison Bergeron," symbolism, tone, and irony develop the theme of how complete equality is impossible and undesirable to achieve.

For example, in this quote from the text George cannot even think for his own accord because of his handicap, "George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn't be handicapped. But he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts (Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing)." Harrison Bergeron, the main character is a symbol himself, he represents every person who has ever thought of defying the government. Because of his public attempt to overthrow the government by becoming the "Emperor" he was executed by a member of the government, "She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor. Diana Moon Glampers loaded the gun again. She aimed it at the musicians and told them they had ten seconds to get their handicaps back on (Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing)." The television Hazel and George watch has a

In the beginning of the story, Vonnegut strays from his emotions and instead is a detached, solemn narrator. He does not state his opinion on the government at the start, "All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General (Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing)." Amid the narrative however, as Harrison takes a stand against the government the tone seems hopeful, and zealous as the main events of the story take place, "And then, in an explosion of joy and grace, into the air they sprang! (Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing)." Towards the ending of the story, the author's tone turns to defeat as if Vonnegut was rooting for his main character, who failed to accomplish his goal. The conversation between George and Hazel seems to have a melancholy tone to it, "You been crying," he said to Hazel. "Yup," she said. "What about?" he said. "I forget," she said. "Something real sad on television." "What was it?" he said. "It's all kind of mixed up in my mind," said Hazel. "Forget sad things," said George. "I always do," said Hazel (Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing)." All the tones exuded throughout the story tell the reader what the author felt for his main