“Harrison Bergeron” is an ironic, short story written by
Kurt Vonnegut, published in October 1961. It is a literary piece that creates a
world set around the year 2081 when the Constitutional Amendments forced
everybody to become equal. It is the agents of the Handicapper General, who
enforced the laws in achieving equality by altering the people’s advantages,
strengths and capabilities through technology. Every action of an individual is
controlled by a device such as the mental handicap radio or headset, which produces
random shocking sounds to interfere with the ideas and thoughts of those intelligent
men and women. For those who are exceptionally beautiful and attractive, are
forced to wear masks to conceal their faces, as well as clothing that hide
their perfect bodies. And for those who are physically strong, are forced to
carry heavy weights to limit their strength. All should abide by the law that
these handicaps are to be worn at all times to make everyone at the same
normalcy level.
Some of the main characters in the
story are Hazel and George. Their son, Harrison, is so remarkably gifted, that the
Handicapper General men took him away. One day, when Hazel and George were
watching television, they saw Harrison being broadcast, having escaped from
jail, interrupted a dance program. He breaks in and removes his handicaps to
show everyone that he becomes the leader of the world and that he can do
whatever he wants. He started dancing and encourages a ballerina to throw off
her handicaps as well and dance with him and be his empress. During their
dance, they also shared a kiss, though they were immediately shot dead by the
Handicapper General, having violated the laws. Because Harrison’s parents were
controlled, they were not able to focus on their son’s death. They just simply
continue watching while George hears a blast of sounds from his headset and
Hazel cries because of watching something real sad on the television but she
cannot remember what it was. Then, they continue their lives as awfully normal
people.
This short story created
by Kurt Vonnegut is a wonderful masterpiece and a good read. It has given me a
deeper meaning on what equality is all about. From the story, I’ve realized
that changing the way a person looks, thinks and acts do not necessarily show
fairness; rather, it just make the idea of equality the other way around for it
is hindering us from our freedom to do what we want.
Based
on the story, I think that the forceful desires that were done to the people
were ethically wrong. Aside from the fact that they were treated inhumanely,
they also ignored the Lord’s teachings. It is because not all are created
equally since God has given each one of us our own qualities that makes us
unique. And it is our duty to share with others our blessings. In this way, we
can inspire each other and become better people. In addition, if everybody were
equal, life would be boring. I mean, what are the competitions all about if all
of us were the same. There would also be no improvements in the lives of the
people. In conclusion, the meaning of equality should not be taken to an
extreme or abused; instead, it should be about everyone having equal rights and
opportunities no matter what race, age, gender or sex.
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