Comparing Harrison Bergeron And Old Glory

Science fiction is a genre of literature that specifically discusses possibilities for Earth and Mankind, by advancing the technologies we currently have. Two examples of this genre are the short stories “Harrison Bergeron” and “Old Glory”. “Harrison Bergeron” is a story set in a future United States, where everyone is exactly equal. It tells the story of 14-year-old Harrison Bergeron, who goes on television and renounces the restrictive ways of the government, and is then shot and killed. “Old Glory” is similar, also set in a futuristic United States, where a newly enacted law, called SOS, has sent Duncan’s (The main character) great-grandfather into a frenzy. Duncan watches his grandfather renounce the new law and attempt to burn the new

The oppressive government in both stories has brainwashed the citizens to think that the government, which by our standards is horrible, is the epitome of perfection. In the story “Old Glory”, when Duncan learns that his Great-Grandfather took down his flag, he is horrified. The flag is a symbol of the government, and taking it down is clearly against either the law or the status-quo. “Suddenly I realized what was wrong with his room. "Where's your flag?" I asked. "I took it down.” I must've looked pretty funny. At least, the look on my face made him snort. "How could you?" I asked in a whisper.” The government has a hold on Duncan, who is a rule-abiding citizen, to the point of getting his great-grandfather shot. Similarly, in Harrison Bergeron, breaking the rules is illegal. At the suggestion of it from his wife, George Bergeron reminds her of the consequences. “"You been so tired lately-kind of wore out," said Hazel. "If there was just some way we could make a little hole in the bottom of the bag, and just take out a few of them lead balls. Just a few." "Two years in prison and two thousand dollars fine for every ball I took out," said George. "I don't call that a bargain." "If you could just take a few out when you came home from work," said