Harrison Bergeron Rhetorical Analysis

In a reality where the government strives to establish total equality, there are bound to be an immense amount of rebels and protesters who questions the newly established system. It is expected for the mass majority of individuals to be demeaning the so-called “equality” and demanding for change. However, this interpretation is far from the case in the fictional text “Harrison Bergeron”, where there appears to be daily brainwashing of the population, as well as law enforcement through putting bullets through people’s heads. The allegory attempts to depict a world where the government’s primary focus is to ensure that each and every individual is absolutely equivalent to one another. Taking place in 2081 America, there are several

significant changes that have surfaced. One of the major differences present is how the “... 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution” are already formed and in act. This illustrates that the extreme rate of advancement — whether it be positive or negative — is substantially due to the government’s strong push to enforce their perception of equality.

Moreover, within the text, the significance of symbolism is apparent as there are indications of the presence of different handicaps. Notably, those with above average physical attributes and above average intelligence are required by law to wear handicaps. Thus, the application and enforcement of handicaps are metaphors for sameness, because individuals with advantageous traits are limited and refrained from using their bodies and brains to their maximum abilities, for that is considered to be unfair to those who does not possess the same level of capability. Several main examples of handicaps includes “...47 pounds of birdshot… ear radios… spectacles intended to make [one] not only half blind but to [provide] whanging headaches”. Therefore, the intensity of the handicaps is a sign of the government’s seriousness in the field of administering disabilities onto their own citizens. Unfortunately, in order to maintain the sickly “equality”, the people are stripped off of their freedom. When announcers are unable to speak properly, and ballerinas are unable to dance properly, and musicians unable to perform properly, and people are unable to formulate thoughts properly — it is not a matter of equality, but a matter how low society

has succumbed to. Despite the absurd form of justice system — applying violence and threatening punishment to solve political conflicts —, the citizens does not appear to be at all baffled. This lack of response from the majority of the people indicates that they are either extremely submissive, or brainwashed to the degree in which they feel the need to comply to the government’s wishes. An example of this is Hazel Bergeron; the mother Harrison Bergeron. Hazel is perceived to be much like an airhead, as she is unable to produce intelligent thoughts and praises those who are as incompetent as her. Furthermore, like her husband George Bergeron, she believes that they should accept and obey by the rules of the society, therefore highlighting her blind support for the concept of “equality”. Ultimately, the government’s forceful administration leads to a critical theme; though equality for all is a dignified ambition, it should not come at a price of sacrificing freedom and undermining potential.