Individuality And Freedom In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

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To be living in an absolute equal society may sound like a perfect world to be in, but it is a mistaken goal that will destroy the purpose of existence forever. The short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is set in the year of 2081 where everyone is all equal in every aspect. Beauty, strength, and intelligence are set to be the same to achieve physical and mental equality for all the citizens. Vonnegut use symbolism, theme, and irony to demonstrate how absolute equality can suppress individuality and freedom if no action is made to stop the ruling of a communist society. People will never discover the beauty of freedom if they allow others to control every aspect of their life and Vonnegut proves this idea in this story. Symbolism …show more content…

People never had the chance to freely express themselves and their ability. Harrison, the man who has more handicaps and strength than any other person being killed so quick in public will forever bring fear to the people in the society if they ever act to differ. Hamideh Mahdiany, a M.A. student from University of Lorestan, says, “In Harrison Bergeron, the dancing, happy, powerful, freedom seeking Harrison and Ballerina are shut to death so that the viewer wouldn’t even have the chance to develop any kind of identification with them which would even least probably make them want to be real humans.” …show more content…

People’s well-being is being destroyed and no development is made in the society. After Harrison was killed, Hazel started crying but when George asked her why she didn’t know why. This shows how Hazel cannot only comprehend the scene happening in the television but also didn’t know how to express her emotions. Every aspect in her life is being controlled and she’ll never find her true self. In the scene when she notices that George looked tired, Hazel said to him, “Go on and rest the bag for a little while, I don’t care if you’re not equal to me for a while” (3). Her character is both innocent and

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