Theme In Kurt Vonnegut's 'Harrison Bergeron'

Theme in “Harrison Bergeron”

Being unique is a necessary part of life. People are told starting as children that they need to be themselves. They are told to do what they love and love what they do. What if the world didn’t allow this? Kurt Vonnegut ponders the idea of a life in which the government enforces complete equality. “Harrison Bergeron” takes place in a future society that hinders people with skills to make everyone equal. This society makes everyone worse instead of better. Complete equality has too many issues for it to be viable. Equality should be for all in the eyes of the law. However, complete equality should not be pursued because taking away the differences between people is a clear mistake.

First of all, the story makes it quite clear that complete equality should not be pursued and that every person should be able to possess their own abilities and attributes. The setting of this story is key to the theme. The first few lines of “Harrison Bergeron” makes it extremely clear how the setting will be a defining part of the story: “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law.

It is very clear that Vonnegut believes that individuality is the only way to have a society that advances and improves itself. Without free thought there is no innovation or art. “Harrison Bergeron” is a heartbreaking and eye opening story showing the dangers of a completely equal society. Equality is important in the eyes of the law. However, being different than the rest is the key staple of human life. Without the ability to be one’s self, human beings are no longer human beings. Complete equality may seem like a good idea, however the ability to have attributes and skills different than other humans is a key component of human life. Without this ability, the world loses its