Similarities Between A & P And Harrison Bergeron

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Recommended: Analysis of a & p by john updike

The theme of the “meaning of freedom” is a common theme between the two stories “A&P” by Updike, and Harrison Bergeron by Vonnegut. In both stories, the characters are take different routes to rebel from the standards of society. In A&P, gender roles are heavy, and Sammy is expected to conform, but he does otherwise by leaving his job. Harrison Bergeron takes place during a time where the human population is expected to be equal, but Harrison steps beyond these limits. These characters show that conforming to society truly does not make you free, in fact it holds you back from your full potential. To understand the lack of freedom in A&P and Harrison Bergeron, the narrators describe specific examples of what it means and what to expect while living in society with limiting standards. In A&P, a trio of girls walk in the grocery store, essentially breaking from the idea of modesty that woman are expected to have by revealing themselves with only their bathing suits. Sammy, the cashier was so intrigued with this idea, especially because this was …show more content…

“His face was dark gray and his back stiff, as if he’d just had an injection of iron, and my stomach kind of fell as I felt how hard the world was going to be to me hereafter.” In this quote, Sammy recognizes life will not be comfortable, but he can be content knowing he will never carry that resentment that results from being in agreement with the crazy standards society holds. In Harrison Bergeron, when everyone removes their masks and handicaps, true emotion is felt and the mundaneness of life is swept away. “And then, neutralizing gravity with love and pure will, they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling, and they kissed each other for a long, long time.” You can see this was such an incredible experience, because they understand what it means to be free from the devices restricting

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