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The society created in Kurt Vonnegut's futuristic story “Harrison Bergeron” heavily reflects the general principles of Marxist ideology. It is possible that Kurt Vonnegut may have written this story as a direct criticism of Marxist theory, or at least a criticism of some people's interpretations of it. The story suggests that if people take equality too literally it can create a dystopia. People would literally be made so “equal” that it almost becomes unequal. If someone's natural differentiation is made illegal, isn't that unfair to the individual?
The ideal human in this society is one who shows an extremely low level of intelligence. This is because they felt it was important that nobody can take an unfair advantage of their intellect. “They were equal in every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else.” A defining characteristic of the Marxist theory is equality of all people. Ideally, according to the marxist
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theory, all people are to be made equal; nobody was given more or less of anything. Obviously, Vonnegut took this to the extreme in this story. He basically used the story to communicate that there is no way Marxist theory could possibly be feasible. Hazel is depicted as perfect in this society.
George is said to have had intelligence “way above normal” so, in order to keep everyone equal, the transmitter in his ear prevented him from thinking every time he pondered for longer than a few moments. Due to this, Hazel and George both remained completely oblivious to the corruptness of their world. “Some things about living still weren't quite right...the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron's fourteen year old son, Harrison, away.” The fact that George and Hazel aren't allowed to think about their son is proof that this society is a dystopia. They just don't realize it because they are prevented from doing so. This is proof of Kurt Vonnegut's possible claim that if the concept of equality is taken too literally it will create a dystopia because even if Hazel were able to think, she wouldn't even be allowed. Which can be considered possibly unfair, making the Marxist based society extremely
imperfect. The fact that Hazel and George seem to barely care about Harrison being taken from them and imprisoned shows the severity of what the government is doing. “George Bergeron correctly identified the earthquake, and well he might have - for many was the time his own home had danced to the same crashing tune. “My God-” said George, “that must be Harrison!” The realization was blasted from his mind instantly by the sound of an automobile collision in his head.“ George wasn't allowed to think about his son. The Handicap Generals make it so nobody can plot against the government. Essentially, they make it impossible for a person to think for themselves. No person is given freedom to differentiate. They're not even given the freedom to know what freedom is. This can be considered unfair to the individual. Vonnegut expresses distaste in Marxist theory by featuring the handicaps. Essentially, the people of this society are oppressed by their government yet shielded from the truth. When referring to the the period of time before the United States Handicapper General, George uses the terminology “dark ages” to express that everyone would be “competing against everyone else.” With literal obstacles preventing people from forming their own opinions, there's no way anyone could revolt against the government even if they wanted to so of course George will feel this way. The handicaps don't allow him to feel any other way.
Equality appears to be the ideal factor that can perfect a society. It eliminates the need to feel envious of any human or their qualities. Nevertheless, with impartiality comes lack of diversity and ambition. Inequality is the entity that provides individuals with the passion to strive for a better life. If everyone has already reached their full potential there is no purpose for living. The short novel “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut presents a futuristic portrayal of a world where everyone is equal in every way possible. In “Harrison Bergeron,” Vonnegut displays the clear flaws in society that lead to the creation of a horrific dystopia that lacks genuine human emotions, fails to develop as a civilized community and is strictly government
Harrison Bergeron is a short story that creates many images and feelings while using symbols and themes to critique aspects of our lives. In the story, the future US government implements a mandatory handicap for any citizens who is over their standards of normal. The goal of the program is to make everyone equal in physical capabilities, mental aptitude and even outward appearance. The story is focused around a husband and wife whose son, Harrison, was taken by the government because he is very strong and smart, and therefore too above normal not to be locked up. But, Harrison’s will is too great. He ends up breaking out of prison, and into a TV studio where he appears on TV. There, he removes the government’s equipment off of himself, and a dancer, before beginning to dance beautifully until they are both killed by the authorities. The author uses this story to satire
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Kurt Vonnegut portrays Aristotle’s philosophy brilliantly in his short story “Harrison Bergeron.” The story depicts the American government in the future mandating physical handicaps in an attempt to make everyone equal. Vonnegut describes a world where no one is allowed to excel in the areas of intelligence, athletics, or beauty. Yet, the inequalities among the people shine even brighter. Vonnegut uses satire to explore the question of whether true equality can ever really exist.
Harrison Bergeron goes against conformity to try and brake the equality of everyone. It states in the story “Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds.” -Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. In this quote it shows the power he has to try and brake away from everyone else and try to do what he wants instead of being like everyone else. By doing this, he is going against conformity in the society to be himself and not like others.
An impartial society: Utopia or Hell? What would happen to the world if the people were literally equal in every aspect of their lives? In the futuristic short story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., the world is finally living up to America’s first amendment of everyone being created equal. In this society, the gifted, strong, and beautiful are required to wear handicaps of earphones, heavy weights, and hideous masks, respectively. Thus, these constraints leave the world equal from brains to brawn to beauty. With the world constantly pushing for equality among people, Vonnegut reveals a world that society is diligently working toward. Through this foreshadowing of the future, Vonnegut attempts to use Diana Moon Glampers and
It is very clear that Vonnegut believes that individuality is the only way to have a society that advances and improves itself. Without free thought there is no innovation or art. “Harrison Bergeron” is a heartbreaking and eye opening story showing the dangers of a completely equal society. Equality is important in the eyes of the law. However, being different than the rest is the key staple of human life. Without the ability to be one’s self, human beings are no longer human beings. Complete equality may seem like a good idea, however the ability to have attributes and skills different than other humans is a key component of human life. Without this ability, the world loses its
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.
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
Though the rewards are pleasing to the ear, the path to obtaining the benefits of communism is a violent one. This strict governing idea was derived from Communist Manifesto, a book written by two German economists, Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels, who declare that many problems in society are caused by the unequal distribution of wealth. These two believe that “Communism deprives no man of the ability to appropriate the fruits of his labour. The only thing it deprives him of is the ability to enslave others by means of such appropriations.” To achieve the goal of happiness and prosperity for all, the lines that distinguish the differences between the rich and poor must be erased. Obviously, the rich will never voluntarily give up their goods or status; therefore the figureheads must force equality among the citizens. Communism places their citizens, whether they be the wealthy or the laborers, into working classes that specify their contribution to the government. With such balanced placement of the people, individuality is impossible for any single person to achieve.
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
Have you wondered what the world would be like if everyone was forced into the government’s opinion of equality? In Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s story “Harrison Bergeron”, it is the year 2081 and the government has altered the society into being physically and socially equal. The most charming people are left to wear hideous masks, the intelligent are to be equipped with a earpiece that plays ear piercing noises, and the strong people have to wear excessive heavy weights so they resemble the weak. I believe that the society of “Harrison Bergeron” is not truly equal, because no one can be changed unless they want to be.
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
Their different personalities and mindsets created a nice balance between them. Their differences explained why, “Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she could think about anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter.” (Vonnegut 226). This proves how cruel this government is. They do not want the smartest individuals to defeat the government so they make it mentally and physically impractical for them to do so. For normal people, like Hazel, it does not matter what they think or say because it is not like they will follow up on their thoughts. That is how the government is keeping everyone in check without any backlash. The fact that George is wearing forty seven pounds of balls in a bag is worrying Hazel. She says, “’If you could just take a few out when you come home from work, said Hazel… ‘If I tried to get away with it, said George, ‘‘then other people’d get away with it-and pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn’t like that, would you?”’ (Vonnegut 228). This whole conversation is the reason why the government knew that this new futuristic society would benefit them. Hazel knew that what
What would actually happen if everyone was forced to be equal? Kurt Vonnegut envisioned the fatal outcome in his masterpiece, “Harrison Bergeron.” The story illustrates “what would happen if a government or some other power takes this notion serious” (Mowery). The protagonist, Harrison, who is arrest for “exuberant individuality,” escapes from prison and goes on national television station to declare himself emperor, only later to be killed by the handicap general Diane Moon. In “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut satirizes the movement toward egalitarianism and the effect of television on people.
The way the government is controlled in North Korea is a similar system to the Handicapper General in Harrison Bergeron. The government of those of these societies harshly controls everything that goes on. For example, in Harrison Bergeron, citizens are required by law to wear handicaps in attempt to make every equal. "…had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter" (Vonnegut 14). Akin to this, the government control in North Korea is not quite to the extreme of the society in Harrison Bergeron, though it is very strict and people are not given many basic rights. "North Korea has tightened control over the country’s northern border to reduce flight, and has continued systematic interrogation and torture of North Koreans caught and forcibly returned from China “(Human Rights Watch NA). Another similarity is in the dystopian topic of it being the illusion of a utopian world. This meaning the society is meant to be so perfect that it ends up becoming unpleasant. In Harrison Bergeron, Hazel thinks about what it would be like to always hear the sound of chimes in her head through the mental handicap. "I think it would be kind of interesting to hear all the different sounds" (Vonnegut 38). Hazel is oblivious at the time to the fact that the mental handicap is a way of limiting your thoughts. Hazel believing that there is nothing wrong with what