Harrison Bergeron Analysis Essay

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In “Harrison Bergeron,” Kurt Vonnegut Jr. paints a picture of a society that is made equal by handicapping the citizens. Vonnegut’s bizarre writing style exaggerates the truth, but is appropriate for the topic at hand. His satire writing has his audience really think about what image he is portraying of this crazy world where everyone one is equal, and how bizarre the idea is. The government handicaps everyone–no one looks better, has any talents, or intelligence, so all the people are equal, leaving the government with the upper hand. This short story relates to today’s society, and some thoughts people may have on today’s government. The government can have an impact on the way we think today by what is glorified in the news, what is being
When George and Hazel’s son was taken from them and imprisoned, the narrator explains that, “It was tragic, all right, but George and Hazel couldn 't think about it very hard” (par 3). George and Hazel had no mind of their own anymore, and couldn 't even use their brains to process the loss of their own son who’s murder was broadcasted on TV. Abdol Hossein Joodaki and Hamedi Mahdiany, Professor and student of English Literature, write about Vonnegut’s symbolism with TV and society “Here Vonnegut portrays television as a means to block thinking” (2). People today, like myself, do like to watch TV but it does have an impact on our brains. Some people watch TV instead of finding a hobby, reading a book, or exploring nature. We are not being our best by sitting in front of a television
Harrison’s freedom was taken away within seconds, just as our freedom in society can be taken away within seconds, especially if it had to do with rebelling against the government. Darryl Hattenhauer writes “So this story satirizes not just mistaken notions of equality. It also satirizes the American definition of freedom as the greatest good to the smallest number” (1). The word freedom, to me, is defined by the perception of the person you are asking. To me, freedom in America would be free schooling and healthcare, so we can be our best physically and mentally. In “Harrison Bergeron” freedom would be the obvious of having no handicaps, but also having the right to be intelligent, beautiful, or

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