Theme Of Individuality In Harrison Bergeron

805 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: individuality in harrison bergeron

The pages of history have longed been stained with the works of man written in blood. Wars and conflicts and bloodshed were all too common. But why? What could drive a man to kill another? Many would say it is man’s evil nature, his greed, envy, and wrath. And certainly, they all have a roll in it. But in reality, it is something far less malevolent, at least at first. The sole reason why conflicts grow and spread comes from the individuality that every human cherishes so dearly. This can easily be shown in the story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, in which a society has been created where everyone of talent has been handicapped so they are not better than anyone else, all for the sake of equality. This text will show that Individuality …show more content…

That character is Harrison Bergeron himself. Some evidence showing his connection to the theme is when a character says, "Harrison Bergeron, age fourteen," she said in a grackle squawk, "has just escaped from jail, where he was held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous"(Vonnegut 3). These lines not only provide insight into Harrison’s character his individuality, it also already show the conflicts it creates. Harrison is very brilliant, and very strong. However, it is this strength of mind and body that allowed him to break out of prison, and defy the authorities and terrorize the public. His individuality is what leads him to create this conflict, as well as giving him the ability to do so. The last piece of supporting evidence is thus, "Even as I stand here" he bellowed, "crippled, hobbled, sickened - I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!"(Vonnegut 5). In this scene, Harrison gives a display of his abilities, and as magnificent as they are, it winds up getting both him and another person killed, and terrorizing the people around, and almost got them killed in the process. His justification? His greatness, his individual talent, and the sole fact that he is able

Show More
Related

  • A Literary Analysis Of Harrison Bergeron

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    He symbolizes humanity's suppressed need for expression, competitiveness and romance, and takes active steps to go against the norm and overthrow the government. Officially, he was taken into custody for being too above average. But, having an unconforming and opposing attitude probably scared the government. This is similar to the red scare of the 1950’s that prompted investigations of people’s personal involvement with a threat to the country, communism, which was seen by some as an unnecessary invasion of American rights. This could be the author’s way of criticizing the anti-communist scare while defending the right for individual freedom of belief and expression.

    Read More

  • Harrison Bergeron Essay

    574 Words  | 2 Pages

    The handicaps are to people as the cage is to the bird. This simile describes how Caged Bird and Harrison Bergeron are alike. Harrison Bergeron and Caged Bird are very alike in many reasons. They both reference limitations on freedom. In Caged Bird the limitation is that the bird is in the cage and cannot fly or go wherever it pleases. In Harrison Bergeron the limitations are all the handicaps. In Harrison Bergeron there are limitations to the citizens. These are called handicaps. When you are more capable at something then other people are then you receive handicaps that limit your abilities so that everyone is equal. Some handicaps are earpieces that stop you from thinking with a ringing sound, masks for those that have superior beauty, and

    Read More

  • Theme Of Harrison Bergeron

    740 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” was created during the time frame of the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War and encompasses the definition of the word satire. Though the story itself is set in the distant future, the year 2081, one can see the influence of the past in this dark satirical portrayal of an American society. The author satirizes the very elements he was exposed to in his own environment and lifetime. Vonnegut mocks forced ideas of equality, power structures, and oppression, ideas that were prevalent and thriving in the atmosphere of his time of writing “Harrison Bergeron”.

    Read More

  • Repressive Society in Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, the complete freedom and absolute equality have been a goal of innumerable societies throughout human history. However, these two ideal cannot exist together in their most perfect forms because the perfect forms of either freedom or equality represent total chaos or total oppression, as we can see in “Harrison Bergeron,” the consequences of sacrificing freedom for perfect equality. The author uses the story of this imaginary perfect world where everyone is happy to demonstrate that a society in which total equality exists is not only oppressive, but also inert and unproductive. Using his futuristic scenario, the simplicity of the society, and the actions of his characters, Vonnegut makes his point of view of a repressive society. In addition, societies that try to create total equality have almost always proven to be oppressive, such as China.

    Read More

  • Role Of Satire In Harrison Bergeron

    1670 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kurt Vonnegut’s science fiction, short story, “Harrison Bergeron” satirizes the defective side of an ideal, utopian American society in 2081, where “everyone was finally equal” (Vonnegut 1). When you first begin to read “Harrison Bergeron”, through an objective, nonchalant voice of the narrator, nothing really overly suggests negativity, yet the conclusion and the narrator's subtle description of the events show how comically tragic it really is. Vonnegut’s use of morbid satire elicits a strong response from the readers as it makes you quickly realize that this scenario does not resemble a utopian society at all, but an oppressive, government and technology-controlled society. “A dystopian society is a

    Read More

  • Harrison Bergeron Theme Essay

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ever since the beginning of time, Americans have been struggling to obtain equality. The main goal is to have a country where everyone can be considered equal, and no one is judged or discriminated against because of things out of their control. Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Plays with this idea of total equality in his futuristic short story, Harrison Bergeron. The setting is in 2081, where everyone is equal. No one is allowed to be better than anybody else. The government makes anyone who would be considered above average wear a transmitting device to limit their thoughts to twenty seconds at a time, which is considered average in this day. They also must wear bags of buckshot shackled to their necks to ensure no one can be stronger than anybody

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Harrison Bergeron

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    The short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut epitomizes what solid convictions can make people do and where this, thusly, can lead society to. The inventors of this general public firmly trust that the fundamental driver of friction is contrast among individuals. This solid conviction makes them take great measures to make everybody in the general public equivalent. As indicated by them, a definitive perfect world is the place each individual is equivalent. Be that as it may, as demonstrated further in the paper, their error of the expressions "fairness" and "joy" drives the general public well on a descending way to being an oppressed world.

    Read More

  • Individuality In 'Harrison Bergeron' By Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

    1512 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the short story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr, the futuristic setting of 2081, demonstrates the negative impacts of excessive equality and the detrimental effects that it can have on society. The governing body in the story is provided too much power, forcing individuals to be tamed for their individuality. The laws enforce weights to be worn upon the strong and athletic, the intelligent to stick radios on or in their ears, broadcasting government messages to disrupt their concentration, and for the good looking individuals to cover their faces with a mask. Harrison Bergeron is the story 's protagonist, his parents George and Hazel, hold similar characteristics but lack Harrison’s qualities of individuality and defiance. Sympathy

    Read More

  • Harrison Bergeron Resilient

    1280 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fight The Good Fight Imagine a man who was recently laid off from his job at an oil and gas company and can no longer financially support his family. The decision this man makes to either push through this adversity to find a new job or let his life go in a downwards spiral will be determined by if the man is resilient or not. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word resiliency means, “capacity to recover from misfortune, shock or illness.” However I believe the definition for the word resiliency goes much deeper than what the dictionary says.

    Read More

  • Individualism In Harrison Bergeron

    1309 Words  | 3 Pages

    As humans every individual on planet earth was created to be equal .Meaning despite race, colour, gender, sexuality, appearance or ability to perform a task everybody is the same.In the present society and generation its very difficult for everybody to be seen in the same way or treated equally. Harrison Bergeron takes place in 2081 and the government has been modified due to the government affirming laws in attempt to achieve total equality amongst everyone in society.Individuality is not supported by the government in fear of the idea of equality not being successful .Throughout the story characters such as Harrison, George ,and Hazel Bergeron encounter overwhelming events.In the short story Harrison Bergeron the author Kurt Vonnegut develops the idea of the dangers associated with total equality and the absence of individuality resulting in disastrous consequences.The outcome of the laws lead to lack of individualism and absence of freedom .Vonnegut also brings forward the actions the government takes in attempt to eliminate any threating forces.

    Read More

  • Harrison Bergeron: A Dystopian Society

    799 Words  | 2 Pages

    Never would I thought that we have a dystopian-like society in our world. Don’t know what a dystopia is? It is a society set in the future, typically portrayed in movies and books in, which everything is unpleasant. The novel Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut is a dystopian story of a fourteen-year-old boy named Harrison who grows up in a society that limits people’s individuality. When he is taken away from his parents, because of his strong idiosyncrasy, his parents do not even recall his presence because of the “mental handicaps” that the government forces onto them. Harrison eventually escapes from his imprisonment and tries to show others that they can get rid of the handicaps and be free. Though the government official, or Handicapper

    Read More

  • The Loss Of Humanity In Harrison Bergeron

    1073 Words  | 3 Pages

    When thinking of humanity now and then, what is the difference seen? Is now better off or worse than what has been. In the three stories, the writers have shown ways of major disconnection. In a futuristic America, people have lost touch with their inner self and others. Rules and challenging aspects have been put in place that has cause questioning and loss of their humanity.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Equality In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

    1244 Words  | 3 Pages

    Set one hundred and twenty years in the future, Kurt Vonnegut’s dystopian world short story “Harrison Bergeron” is about the outcome of what happens when the government takes over due to people in society pleading for equality. Ranging from physical looks to one’s intelligence, it seems that people are continually unsatisfied with themselves when compared to others. However, there is one boy who refuses to conform to the laws set in place by the Handicapper General. Harrison Bergeron is that boy. The story tells of his capture, rebellion, and his demise due to breaking free from the laws of equality. In whole, Kurt Vonnegut wants his readers to assess the issue of equality in society before the made up world of his story turns into reality.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Harrison Bergeron

    661 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although the comparisons are well hidden, both today’s society and the story ‘Harrison Bergeron’ share similar qualities. They both deal with equality, which leads to problems and consequences. A second similarity is the struggle of competition and trying to prevent it from occurring, which also leads to problems. Lastly, both struggle with normality, and the fact that it’s hard to accept that different is okay now.

    Read More

  • What Is Harrison Bergeron's Theory Of Recognition

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bergeron asks everyone at the television station to join him in rebelling because he realized that he can be who he wants to be and not what the government wants him to be. That was the moment that Harrison realized that he did not have to be the same as everyone else. Vonnegut shows the theory of recognition in the scene where “Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore the straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds” (229). The theory of recognition is applied here as Bergeron breaks free of his physical and mental confinement and tries to help others do the same. It is in this scene where the main character gives himself and others hope that the government can be beaten as he sheds off his restraints. Vonnegut did not just randomly put in that scene of recognition into his story. As Aristotle says, “events must not seem to occur randomly or by coincidence, but should seem to proceed according to the laws of cause and effect” (Handout). Vonnegut purposely put in the recognition scene so that the tragedy would have a protagonist. Nothing that Vonnegut wrote into his story was on accident. His story about a grim, hopeless future needed a hero and the moment of recognition gave him the opportunity to introduce Harrison Bergeron as the main hero as he stands up for himself against the oppressive government. Without Aristotle’s theory of recognition applied

    Read More

More about Theme Of Individuality In Harrison Bergeron

Open Document