Striving for Equality: a Double-Edged Sword

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Striving for Equality: a Double-Edged Sword
Summary

This essay will provide an analysis of Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron.” It will explore the story’s themes of equality, freedom, and individuality in a dystopian society. More free essay examples are accessible at PapersOwl about Analysis.

Category:Analysis
Date added
2020/11/03
Pages:  3
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In his compelling short story "Harrison Bergeron," Kurt Vonnegut takes us on a journey to the year 2081, where the concept of equality is taken to an extreme in a dystopian United States. This fictional society has enacted the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments, ensuring that no one is smarter, stronger, or more attractive than anyone else. While the idea of absolute equality might sound appealing, Vonnegut's tale reveals the dark underbelly of such a pursuit. Through the oppressive oversight of the United States Handicapper General, the story explores the consequences of enforced equality and the insidious power of media manipulation.

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This essay examines how Vonnegut uses "Harrison Bergeron" to argue that true equality strips individuals of their humanity and illustrates the media's capacity to control perceptions, ultimately questioning the cost of such an ideal.

The Illusion of Equality

From time immemorial, societies have grappled with the concept of equality. In "Harrison Bergeron," Vonnegut imagines a world where the government takes drastic measures to enforce this ideal, raising the question: at what cost does equality come? The story introduces us to the Bergeron family—George and Hazel—who appear ordinary at first glance. However, Vonnegut quickly reveals the lengths to which the government has gone to ensure no one holds an advantage over others. Hazel possesses "perfectly average intelligence," while George, who is exceptionally intelligent, is burdened with a mental handicap in the form of a radio transmitter in his ear. This device emits sharp noises to prevent him from using his superior intellect. These measures beg the question: is it truly fair to suppress natural abilities to achieve equality?

Vonnegut's narrative deepens as we learn about Harrison Bergeron, George and Hazel's son, who was taken from them at age 14. Harrison, a towering figure of strength and intellect, escapes from captivity and declares himself emperor on live television. He defies the oppressive system, adorned with cumbersome handicaps designed to diminish his gifts. Vonnegut writes, "The spectacles were intended to make him not only half-blind but to give him whanging headaches," while Harrison carries "three hundred pounds" of scrap metal. These extreme actions to suppress natural differences highlight the absurdity of enforced equality, underscoring how such measures strip individuals of their humanity and reduce life to a monotonous existence devoid of individuality.

Media Manipulation and Control

Vonnegut also presents a powerful critique of media manipulation, illustrating how it shapes public perception and reinforces government control. The story opens with George and Hazel watching television, a medium that serves as both a source of entertainment and a tool for indoctrination. Hazel cries while watching a ballet performance but forgets why she is upset, symbolizing the numbing effect of constant media consumption. The television broadcast is interrupted by an announcement about Harrison's escape, followed by his awe-inspiring dance with a ballerina. However, this brief glimpse of defiance is swiftly quashed when Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, enters the studio and executes Harrison and his partner.

This chilling scene serves as a stark reminder of the government's absolute power and its willingness to use media to quash dissent. The broadcast sends a clear message: regardless of individual efforts, the government will maintain its grip on society. The cyclical nature of media consumption is emphasized when Hazel, unable to remember why she cried, continues watching television, oblivious to the horrors unfolding before her. Vonnegut's portrayal of media as an instrument of control invites readers to reflect on how modern media can be manipulated to enforce conformity and suppress individuality.

The Cost of Uniformity

Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" ultimately challenges the notion that absolute equality is desirable. The story vividly illustrates how a society that enforces equality through oppression negates the very essence of humanity. By stripping individuals of their unique attributes and potential, this dystopian world becomes a cautionary tale of the dangers of prioritizing uniformity over individuality. The narrative suggests that diversity, with all its inherent inequalities, is what makes us human, and any attempt to eradicate these differences results in a loss of freedom and identity.

In conclusion, "Harrison Bergeron" serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities surrounding the pursuit of equality. Vonnegut's portrayal of a society where equality is achieved through coercion and control raises important questions about the value of individuality and the role of media in shaping perceptions. The story forces readers to confront the uncomfortable reality that the quest for absolute equality may lead to the erosion of human dignity and the perpetuation of authoritarianism. As Hazel poignantly notes, living in such a world would indeed be "quite the doozy," urging us to cherish and celebrate the differences that define our shared humanity.

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Striving for Equality: A Double-Edged Sword. (2020, Nov 03). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-analysis-of-harrison-burgeron/