Sean McLaughlin Mr. Dion Survey of American Lit 13 February 2023 American Literature QPA America is constantly trying to eliminate societal differences and individuality by forcing the notion that everyone should be equal. This could be related to the story “Harrison Bergeron”. “Harrison Bergeron” is a short story written by Jurt Vonnegut Jr. The story is set in a dystopian society where the government has imposed a system of equality by handicapping its citizens to eliminate all forms of physical and intellectual superiority. The story is told through a narrator who describes the events that take place as Harrison Bergeron, a young man with exceptional intelligence and physical abilities, tries to challenge the system. A strong sense of …show more content…
This quote from the beginning of the story sets the tone for the rest of the piece and highlights the irony of a society that claims to be equal. The story is a cautionary statement about the consequences of a society that values conformity and equality over individuality and personal atrophy. In the story those who are personally inclined, whether intellectually or physically, are handicapped by items such as locks, chains, and impairment devices. The relevance of this voice in defining or contributing to our culture is significant because it speaks to a fundamental aspect of American society: the value of individual freedom. America was founded on the idea of individualism, and the voice in “Harrison Bergeron” speaks to a fear that could be threatened by a government that seeks to control every aspect of citizens’ lives. Not only does this story speak about the government controlling individual freedoms, but it also portrays the aspect of trying to make everyone equal, a common narrative in today's society. While everyone should be granted equal rights and opportunities, there is a line that must be drawn under certain circumstances. For example, in women's sports, many transgender females are being granted the ability to participate in women's sports, but biologically speaking this may give them an unfair advantage over the other competitors as they could possibly have more muscle mass or other contributing factors. Though everyone deserves to be comfortable in their own skin and society, there is a point where the hope to make everyone equal must end as it could further damage our societal