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Civil Disobedience In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

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April, 1930. The coastline in Dandi, India is dotted with millions of people illegally extracting their own salt from the water, each feeling a mixture of triumph and fear. They have come together to protest the British salt laws, which they believe are wrong. But it is also understood that in doing so, many will face consequences. Civil disobedience is vital to bringing a positive change to society, under the circumstances of tyranny and/or discrimination. However, fear is induced by the danger of oppression or other attacks, which may influence a person. But when one person takes action and does something that they believe is important, they start a revolution, and have no regret for keeping the truth from others. One act of civil disobedience could potentially bring a positive chain reaction, eventually succeeding in changing society. Kurt Vonnegut’s 1961 short story, “Harrison Bergeron” shows that civil disobedience is effective and necessary in forming a revolution. After Harrison enters the studio in an attempt to take control he demands that the first dancer stand up to be his …show more content…

This compels them to understand that their conditions can be improved. In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave,” he explains the duty of an enlightened person to educate his peers on truth: “We need to train young men to be virtuous and good, that they can work in the Cave but not be enslaved there; that they may help the community from the darkness of ignorance.” (Plato). Through this, Plato suggests that after one person is enlightened on the truth, it is their obligation to bring knowledge to those who are unaware. Plato later explains that he believes this is imperative in forming a healthy society. The phrase “darkness of ignorance” suggests that society should educate others on the truth. Pulling others out of the “darkness” is necessary for forming a

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