Examples Of Equality In The Giver By Harrison Bergeron

“The sole equality on earth is death,” - Philip James Bailey. This shows that mankind was never meant to be equal, and that equality on earth means death. However, in attempt to stride for a “better world” some fictional societies disagree with that. The societies make attempts on making an utopia where everyone is equal. Demonstrating the possible outcomes of those societies, Dystopian and Science Fiction authors use futuristic settings to teach readers that total equality does not improve the society.
In the novel, “The Giver,” a reader sees how dystopian governments are willing to go to extreme measures, making everything “perfect”. For instance, the claim becomes evident when the main character, Jonas, starts his training as the new Receiver of Memory. This means that he has to learn and experience things that are hidden from his community by the government, and things nobody else has been able to feel for many centuries. One of those, that he is informed about, is that the ruling body has eliminated certain climates and bad weather because it will impede their attempt to

conceive “perfection”. As the Giver explains to Jonas, “...climate control, snow made growing food difficult...unpredictable weather...” (83). This indicates, how the bureaucracy takes away unwelcome weather conditions, which affect how their community functions. In addition, Jonas learns the true significance of “Release”. He learns that “Release” does not mean what he and other citizens of the community thought of it. Jonas exclaims, “He killed it. My father killed it!” (150). This exhibits how the government actually eliminates people for not fitting in with everyone else, which shows how the authorities are willing to do anything to obtain equality.
Subsequently, in the short story, “Examination Day,” the author illustrates how the government is desperate to maintain equality. Dickie, the main character of the story, has to take a special test created by the government. It is made to recognize the person’s intelligence. In contrast, Dickie, as well as other children, do not know what this test is truly about. However, his parents, who have already taken this test as children, do know and are worried for him. At one point, Dickie asks curious questions to his parents. However, his father lies and replies with wrong answers (1) to keep Dickie from knowing too much. This proves that his parents hide the content of the test from their son as the protection of failing it. Later in the passage, his parents’ fears come true as Dickie takes the test and fails it. The government official informs, “We regret to inform you that his intelligence quotient is above the government regulations...” (4). This exposes that since Dickie is too smart he got executed, so there is no possibility for him taking over the authorities. This could potentially lead into inequality and chaos which certainly impedes government's attempt to reach perfection.
Similarly, the short story “Harrison Bergeron” shows how the government is trying to maintain order through equality to reach perfection.

The government is trying to keep everyone the same, so there is no differentiation. In particular, they have created handicaps for people who are better than everyone else in any way, for example, knowledge. The narrator quotes, “A buzzer sounded in George’s head. His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm,” (1). This illustrates how the regime uses different handicaps on people with different strengths in order to equalize them all. Moreover, in Harrison’s community, being better is looked down upon. A news reporter in the story says, “He is a genius and an athlete, is under handicapped…” (3). This demonstrates how the government does not appreciate a person’s individual qualities which could be potentially helpful to the

society.
In essence, dystopian stories illustrate how total equality does not improve the society. Certainly, the stories about Jonas, Harrison, and Dickie all display to readers how perfection and equality do not improve the society and even destruct it. As, Bailey explained, mankind is not equal, and never will be. From this readers learn that “ Six feet of earth make all men equal” - Charles Haddon Spurgeon.