Harrison Bergeron Theme Essay

Harrison Bergeron Theme Paper by: Alaina Clark

Imagine a society where everyone is exactly the same, no differences or unique talents. That's exactly what this society is striving to do.

The short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. teaches us that not everyone is exactly the same but those differences are what makes every individual person unique because the handicapper general tries to make everyone “equal” and as a result Harrison fights back.

The handicapper general in the short story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. attempts to create a society where everyone is “ equal.” On page two paragraph four, “ she was referring to the forty-seven pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag, which was padlocked around George’s neck.”

This shows that handicaps George has as shown, are not fair.

Revealing the handicaps are supposed to make everyone equal, but in reality are making the people with more abilities less equal. Another point in the story that shows the inequality is on page three paragraph five“ She must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous. And it was easy to see that she was the strongest and most graceful of all the dancers, for her handicap bags were as big as those worn by two-hundred pound men.” This shows that the people with more abilities in this story unfairly have more handicaps. Revealing the unfairness of the large handicaps on the dainty ballerina. The handicapper way of making everyone equal actually makes people in this society less

equal.
While some might argue that the theme of Harrison Bergeron is that equality is something to want achieve, they forget that in the text it says, “ Scrap metal was hung all over him. Ordinarily, there was a certain symmetry, a military neatness to the handicaps issued to strong people, but Harrison looked like a walking junkyard.” This is after Harrison had appeared on the television. This shows how unfair and unequal Harrison's handicaps are proving that being “equal” in this society is actually making them less equal. As you can see, being “equal” is not necessarily the best thing.
Throughout the story it shows Harrison believing everyone's not equal and fighting back. “ Harrison thrust his thumbs under the bar of the padlock that secured his head harness. The bar snapped like celery. Harrison smashed his headphones and spectacles against the wall.” This shows Harrison's large handicaps. Revealing his large power and the start of him fighting back. “ Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds. Harrison’s scrap-iron handicaps crashed to the floor.” This shows Harrison’s great power. Revealing his strength as he just rips the large handicaps off of himself. Harrison fought against the handicapper general, and showed that equality is not a realistic goal, although everyone was technically “equal” in this society, they weren't, the people with more abilities had more unfair handicaps.
This society is striving for equality, but realistically they're actually bringing down the level of people that are more intelligent. The Handicapper generals idea of making everyone equal is having everyone at the same physical level, mental level, and intelligence level. Equality is not something to strive for, being the best person you can be is something to strive for. Harrison fights for what he believes in, not this idea of being “ equal” but everyone having their own individual strengths.