Similarities Between 1984 And Harrison Bergeron

"Revealing the truth is like lighting a match, it can bring light or it can set your world on fire" (Wiz Khalifa). Uncovering the truth behind something that has been a secret can either be beneficial or a catastrophe and this is how a dystopian society functions. Dystopia is a futuristic society that is controlled by a group of people that have power over everything; it is run like a totalitarian state. In the novel 1984 by George Orwell, the main character Winston Smith, is frustrated by the oppression and control of the party and begins to question the government. This is similar to the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr; it is the year 2081 and everybody was equal according to the three new amendments to the constitution. No

The only people that know about the past are the elderly and soon Jonas, because he becomes the receiver of memory. Living in a dystopian society; freedom is restricted, everything is controlled, and the dystopian protagonist always feels trapped and struggles to escape from the ways of the government.

Key characteristics of this dystopian society are uniforms have to be worn, and under constant surveillance. In 1984 the people of London (Airstrip One) were always being watched. The thought police were a group of people whose jobs were to monitor others from thinking on their own or about ideas of taking down the government. All kids were trained to detect any suspicion of any adult. Winston said “ it was conceivable that they watched everybody all the time”(Orwell 6) Big Brother(the leader of the party) and all of the thought police workers were patrolling and watching all the time because they did not want anyone to get any bold ideas. The short story “Harrison Bergeron” this society did not have surveillance, but they did have agents of the U.S. Handicapper General. Their job was to make up handicaps so everyone could