Theme Of Egalitarian Society In The Movie Harrison Bergeron

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Recommended: Harrison bergeron & 2081 compare & contrast

The Flaws of an Egalitarian Society

What if, in the society you lived in everyone is identically equal. Equal in every way from religion to laws, looks, strength, and intelligence. Well in the society of the short story “Harrison Bergeron” and short film 2081, that is the case. In the science-fiction short story “Harrison Bergeron” (1961), conducted by author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and the short film 2081 (2011), directed by Chandler Tuttle, the idea of a dystopian society of egalitarianism is a prevalent theme that can be examined in depth for both the similarities and differences. Throughout the short story and short film , “Harrison Bergeron” and 2081, there are two main similarities and two main differences linked between the two subjects. …show more content…

The main character of the two showings is Harrison Bergeron. In both of the showings when Harrison is just fourteen he is taken away from his parents and put in jail. Harrison is a powerful man who tries to take over the society as stated in the short story “I am the Emperor!” cried Harrison. “Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!” (3, 11, 1). An example of this same concept in the short film is when Harrison storms into the theater and stands in front of everybody saying that everybody must listen to him. In both of the showings George Bergeron, the father of Harrison, is more intelligent and stronger than others so he must where handicaps to make him equal. Also, George is a more laid back and gentle character. Another main character Hazel Bergeron, the mother of Harrison, is an energetic and perky lady. Hazel always seems to seek out the positive in everything and never seems to have a temper with anything. She is very kind to others but does things imprudently. In both of the tellings the H-G Men would resemble the police officers or military of our society today. They are an imitating and powerful group in both the film and story. The head honcho of the H-G men is the Handicap General Diana Moon Glampers. She is an imitating and controlling lady in both of the showings. I think it is an important element for the filmmaker to keep the characters the same in the short film and the short story, because with the same characters the viewers can have an easier time connecting between the short story and short film. I think that by having the characters the same in both the short film and short story it allows the viewer to focus more on other things rather than trying to figure out the

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