“‘Harrison Bergeron’ by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a story literally exaggerated to its limit by showing, in the near future, what it means to be equal in every way by having people not being able to show any form of intelligence or creativity whatsoever. When Harrison Bergeron breaks the chains of government oppression, he dies for his failed cause. He dies because he chooses not to conform to the rest of his oppressive society. His parents, George and Hazel, who are nothing more than two bodies under the government’s mind control, can do nothing to save their son or seek justice for his death. The story is not only a reflection of the author’s concern with controlling the masses through television, but is also an attack on the idea of enforced equality.” The theme of Harrison Bergeron is that wanting to be better than other people is a form of insanity that makes a person completely unable to ever be happy.
The handicap general is the protagonist, she keeps everyone happy. Since Harrison and his ballerina are afflicted with the need to be superior, she must kill them to put them out of their misery. It is a theme of heroism and the virtues of a protective all powerful government. “‘Harrison Bergeron’ by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a story literally exaggerated to its limit by showing, in the near future, what it means to be equal in every way by having people not being able to show any form of intelligence or creativity whatsoever.
The Essay on Harrison Bergeron Short Story
... reality of the situation to the people. Symbolism is used in the story by means of Harrison Bergeron, this enormous seven foot tall, ... that they are subject to by this overpowering government. The common people in the story have been completely brainwashed and filled with ... society, the president, and all forms of media accessible to the public, determining what people can hear, say, watch, and ...
When Harrison Bergeron breaks the chains of government oppression, he dies for his failed cause. He dies because he chooses not to conform to the rest of his oppressive society. His parents, George and Hazel, who are nothing more than two bodies under the government’s mind control, can do nothing to save their son or seek justice for his death. The story is not only a reflection of the author’s concern with controlling the masses through television, but is also an attack on the idea of enforced equality.”.
