Literary Analysis Harrison Bergeron

In the short story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut we are introduced to a dystopian society in the year 2081 that imposes equality on all citizens through mental and physical handicaps. In short, a couple, George and Hazel Bergeron, are sitting in their living room watching the dance of ballerinas. Towards the end of the story, the audience is presented to George and Hazel’s son, Harrison, who has been taken away for rebelling against a government led by the United States Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers. When reading the short story, one can recognize the pitfalls Vonnegut aims to impress on the readers through the development in the characters, George, Hazel, and Harrison Bergeron.Vonnegut crafts the characters in a purposeful

way to establish the main argument. Specifically, the pitfalls of mindless conformity, bias against change, and oversimplification are distinguishable in the character, George Bergeron, who portrays the argument that the covet for total equality in a society is dangerous and unrealistic and the impact of government control.
To begin, the pitfall of mindless conformity is portrayed in George Bergeron, a man with an above-average intelligence and a strong physique. In result, George is crippled with a handicap radio in his ear and forty-seven pounds of birdshot around his neck. Defining mindless conformity is the adoption of others’ views unthinkingly because one is too lazy or fearful to form his own (Ruggiero). "I don't mind it," [George] said. "I don't notice it anymore. It's just a part of me" (Vonnegut). George mindlessly conforms to the precedent established by the government. He is mentally and physically conditioned to the handicaps the government levies on him, and is afraid of the consequences that follow the removal of the handicaps. By Vonnegut showing the readers the blind unhappiness that encircles George’s existence, Vonnegut allows the readers to question their own passivity and support for their government. In addition, in Heather Zima’s article, “The Cost of Total Equality”, Zima states, “Adopting a policy that favors equality for every individual would result in losing the structure of government. If everyone is equal in power then who is to prevent individuals from taking from others”. Total equality cannot exist in a society where there are diverse individuals. When a government enforces an artificial equality system, there forms inequities that oppress citizens’ natural and inherent rights, and in result, forms an unrealistic, dystopian society. Another example of mindless conformity is the symbolic use of the television and media. The presence of the story takes place in front of a television. The television is used by the government as a way to enforce laws to sedate and brainwash citizens’ in mass. George can clearly understand that his son is on the television, yet, is distracted by the noises of his ear piece. George is disillusioned through the willingness to conform and is indifferent towards the portrayal of his own son on the television. Ultimately, mindless conformity is presented through George to show that society can fall into the pitfall of believing that the government is right and the idea of universal equality is attainable.
Following, the error in bias against change is evident in Beregeon.

The error in bias against change occurs when one assumes change is always for the worst. “‘There you are," said George. The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?’" (Vonnegut). It is clear that Bergeron is a traditionalist who fully supports the government. Bergeon is a symbol of the millions of people in this society who have the same ideology and contribute to the complacency of their government. Bergeron and the rest of society lack the understanding that “total equality” is not actual equality. Moreso, with George and Hazel’s son invading the television broadcast, the society is indulged in the fearful propaganda rather than grasping the moral message purported by Harrison. In order for total equality to exist, liberties have to be sacrificed and people have to be suppressed. With that said, people resist change and reform when they feel their security is threatened, and will continue to live their day-to-day lives without questioning the authority in control. This is seen in George who is accustomed to a living situation in which he is okay to be robbed of his emotional thoughts and physical strength, and consistently narrows his mindset of following order without hesitation. Essentially, Vonnegut depicts the pitfall of bias against change to show the illusory appearance of total equality and the impact of government

control.
Lastly, the pitfall of oversimplification is represented through George to show the risky and unrealistic notions of total equality by a controlling government.

Oversimplification is making complex ideas easier to grasp; thus, twisting and distorting ideas. After Hazel watches the news broadcast, she instantly forgets what she had seen but feels a sense of sadness. In response, George tells her to "forget sad things" (Vonnegut). The society is governed by Diana Moon Glampers who manipulates her power for control. George’s response shows the oversimplification of thought and knowledge that surpasses society. People in this story are not given the chance to think. Like mentioned prior, people with above-average intelligence are given radio earpieces that subdue their thoughts and reasoning. In consequence, all progress that requires thought stops and all critical thinking ends. This is dangerous in an equal society because evolution in technology and invention is important for a thriving society. The author’s oversimplification in George allows him to him illustrate a broader picture, in which society fails to see the reality that persists and continues to live in their imaginative world of equality. This can allude to George Orwell’s Animal Farm in which the ideology of “All animals are equal but some are more equal, and man is a beast animal” is believed by all the farm animals. In the novel, the animals starve and laboriously work during Napoleon's reign, convinced that

their contributions create a system of equal prosperity. In contrast, the conception of equality is oversimplified by the animals and they overlook the system of communism implemented. This relates back to “Harrison Bergeron” in which people, such as George, readily accept what they are given, even if it is unjust. Ultimately, the pitfall of oversimplification is represented through George to the improbable effort of total equality through government control.
In final analysis, the author applies consistent pitfalls of mindless conformity, bias against change, and oversimplification through George Bergeron to show the negative repercussions for the desire for total equality. After reading this story, readers are left with an image of human disaster in a dystopian society feeding off ignorance. Total equality is unattainable and is dangerous, and people need to be cautious of government manipulation.