Government Control is a Downer
The short story “Harrison Bergeron” was written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The story takes place in 2081 in the United States of America and all of its citizens are completely equal. People are required to wear handicaps that prevent them from competing with others and becoming equal to everyone else. For example, people with higher intelligence are given mental handicap radio in their ear that prevents them from having their own thoughts. Harrison Bergeron breaks free of all handicap restrictions the governments makes him wear and tries to rebel, but dies trying. Using a little mental handicap radio in George Bergeron’s ear because he is mentally advanced, Harrison Bergeron’s rebellion to break free from government control, and the control by the government of different forms of art as seen in the ballerina dancers are all examples of self vs. society that relate to the central theme that government should not be all powerful.
First, the government put a little mental handicap radio in George Bergeron’s ear because of his above average intelligence is an example of self vs. society that relates to the central theme of the story. The radio in George’s head sends out sharp noises every twenty seconds to disrupt his individual thoughts and keep him from being more intelligent than anyone else. This act by the government to keep everyone completely equal has a negative impact on the society because it doesn’t allow the country’s citizens to use their skills and talents to help better the country. For example, if George Bergeron did not have the mental handicap radio in his ear then he could use his above average intelligence by inventing new technology or by passing his knowledge on by teaching others.
The Essay on Radio In The 1920's
In the 1920’s Radio Broadcasting became one of America’s favorite sources of entertainment. During this time period most Americans depended on radio for their source of communication, since television was not yet invented. The invention of radio had a major impact on Americans. Radio stations sent out a variety of shows and programs such as; sports, musical concerts, and newscasts. The ...
Second, Harrison Bergeron rebelled to break free of government control. Harrison is seven feet tall and is required to wear the strongest handicaps. He has to carry 300 pounds, wear earphones as mental handicap radios, and wear spectacles that make him half blind and give him chronic headaches. However, Harrison outgrows all these handicaps and tears them off after breaking out of jail and beginning his rebellion to end government control. Harrison starts a rebellion to show America’s citizens that the government should not be all powerful and shows them what it is like to be an individual again. He claims himself as emperor and selects one of the ballerina dancers to be his empress. Free of their handicap restrictions, Harrison and his empress dance together to the real music being played by the musician whose handicaps were removed as well. Then they start floating towards the roof and kiss each other. The Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers, comes out with a double barreled ten gauge shotgun and shoots and kills both Harrison and his empress. Everyone watching the event on tv soon forgets what they just saw and Harrison’s efforts to end against government control fail. Harrison’s fight against the government proves why the government should not be all powerful.
Third, because of government control, different forms of art have been controlled and lack free expression as seen in the ballerina dancers are an example of why the government should not be all powerful. In the story, all of the ballerinas are burdened with sash weights and bags of birdshot. Also, they have to wear a mask on their faces so that no one can see a graceful gesture or a pretty face. Because of all their handicaps, none of the ballerina dancers are very good at dancing and they all have equal dancing abilities. If there were no restrictions to their dancing skills, it would allow the dancers to dance to their true potential and shine in the spot light. Dance and other forms of art are a big part of society’s free and creative expression and individuality. Without their own creative ability, individuals can’t express themselves.
The Essay on Form Of Government One Emperor Control
Governments In Star Wars V. S. Governments in the Home In the movie 'Star Wars' their exist many different forms of government. In this essay I will be comparing those forms in the movie to the ones found in the home. I will be starting with the most basic form of government and working up to the most complex. The most basic form of government is anarchy, The total absence of government. In the ...
In conclusion, the short story “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is about how all the citizens in the United States of America during the year 2081 are completely equal and required to wear handicap restrictions that keep them to remain equal to everyone else. Using a little mental handicap radio in George Bergeron’s ear because he is mentally advanced, Harrison Bergeron’s rebellion to break free from government control, and the control by the government of different forms of art as seen in the ballerina dancers are all examples of self vs. society that relate to the central theme the government should not be all powerful.