A review of the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Written in 2006; 900 words; 5 sources; MLA; $ 31.95
Paper Summary:
The writer summarizes the story and explains that it is not only a reflection of the author's concern with controlling the masses through television but is also an attack on the idea of enforced equality. The paper shows how the use of television to control people is a major theme in "Harrison Bergeron". The writer describes the dehumanization in the story, which is a result of government oppression, as well as the physical punishment that awaits rebellious people like Harrison. In conclusion, the writer states that no government is able to suppress the individual completely because of the desire of humans to be themselves and not machines.
From the Paper:
"The other major theme in "Harrison Bergeron" is the concept of equality. His world is similar to that of a tyrannical dictatorship, where people have no rights, thanks "to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General" (139). This new world represents total conformity, where people like George must wear weights and radio transmitters which play loud noises to hinder their intellectual development. Vonnegut's world is the most extreme and horrifying that anyone can imagine. According to Joseph Alvarez, "If everyone were equal in every which way, the various handicaps would not be necessary" (3). Alvarez is making the statement that it is ironic of the government to enforce equality to everyone but themselves. The government does not make themselves equal to the rest of society, but higher than the rest of the population. The Handicapper General displays a slave driver approach, in which they use physical discipline to keep everyone in check. Insane people enforce the insanity in Vonnegut's futuristic America. According to literary critic Carl Mowery, "In this society, it is the H-G's job to neutralize the human attributes that every citizen was given by God" (3). The aspect of equality Vonnegut takes so literally that even a person's basic rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of choice are nonexistent."
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