Harrison Bergeron Research Paper

Life without awareness can result in a peaceful, carefree life because the knowledge of difference and unconformity can be painful and difficult to comprehend. Unenlightened masses are present in 1984 by George Orwell, “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, and the movie V for Vendetta. People happily remain in ignorance because they do not have the wisdom to challenge what they hold to be true. In 1984 by George Orwell, the Proles represent the epitome of the satisfied ignorant masses. They do not challenge society’s truths because as long as Big Brother continues to ignore them, they have no intention of confronting society’s norms and will never attain the wisdom to do so. The Proles are able to happily live their lives because they are not subject to the same scrutiny and control as the rest of the population is. Unlike the rest of Oceania, the Proles are not under constant telescreen

“They were equal in every which way” (Vonnegut Jr.), and their uniformity and lack of perspective made them feel blissful in such an oppressive culture. The lack of individuality illustrated prevents people from knowing what would be considered different. As people’s civil rights are slowly taken away, their ignorance deepens, along with their inability to think or act radically. Living in this handicapped society assures no memories, and thus, no sorrow. The absence of liberty and the inability to assess life’s circumstances makes the people happy to live in such a society. They do not know what freedom is and therefore, they only desire the lifestyle that they know and live, day to day. Just as people are oppressed, but happily live in ignorance, in “Harrison Bergeron,” the same setting appears in V for