Harrison Bergeron True Equality

We often use terms like “level the playing field” and “redress the balance” in order to argue for social and/or economic equality. But what would it look like if we were to achieve the total-sum of equality? And if we had it, would we really want it? In Kurt Vonnegut’s 1961 short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” the author argues that implementation of true equality would not only bring an end to individuality, but also the end of exceptionalism as a whole. Through the use of biting satire and borderline slapstick comedy, Vonnegut theorizes that the lack of equality, rather than the inverse, drives humanity towards greatness. However, I chose to examine this story as a cautionary tale of all forms of extremism, rather than merely a story about equality. Through this lens, I believe “Harrison Bergeron” becomes a more vital and compelling piece of fiction. “Harrison Bergeron” is set in a distant and dystopian version of America, where due to the 221th, 212th and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, everyone is 100% equal (1332). The “playing field” has been completely leveled. However, this isn’t the brand of equality that

What distinguishes “Harrison Bergeron” from other significant works of dystopian fiction is Vonnegut’s signature use of deadpan humor. Reading “Harrison Bergeron,” one gets the sense that Vonnegut is literally throwing his hands up and laughing at the futility of fighting an oppressive regime. In truth, the world of “Harrison Bergeron” feels less kindred to Orwell’s 1984, and more inline with Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. Everything is topsy-turvy and excessively humorous. It’s almost as if all the pomp and circumstance has been completely stripped away from bureaucracy, leaving nothing but the lowest common denominator. It’s not as if Vonnegut believes that it would be impossible to start a revolution, he thinks that when the revolution comes no one will