Literary Tools Utilized in Harrison Bergeron No two individuals among the billions of people that inhabit our planet are exactly alike, whether that be physically or psychologically. A vital part of growing up is discovering these differences and which areas we excel in and focus on. Of course, this journey of self-discovery also may lead us to the uncomfortable truth that other individuals possess superior traits or capabilities in certain areas. When this reality is realized by an individual, maturity in the form of humility retains their self-confidence while also appreciating the other individual’s strengths. A person lacking this maturity only invites bitterness and jealousy, negatively affecting his/her quality of …show more content…
The man who cannot reconcile with the reality that others excel in certain areas superior to himself and resorts to ill intents mirrors the government represented in Harrison Bergeron. However, the one terrifying difference is that the government possesses a far more potent power over a large population, compared to an average individual, much like a tyrant. The strict, forced adherence to the laws of equality and standardization presents a tyrannical form of government that is diametrically opposed to the progressive nature and individuality of humans. In the text, outlandish penalties are in effect to deter removal of the government issued handicaps as stated by George Bergeron, “Two years in prison and two thousand dollars fine (Vonnegut),” for even a single lead ball removed. Furthermore, drawing near to the conclusion of Vonnegut’s short story, the government demonstrates a bloody display of destroying opposition when both Harrison Bergeron and his empress were slaughtered by the Handicapper General. Correspondingly, tyrants shackle the undying loyalty of their subjects through coercion and by publicly extinguishing even the most subtle forms of defiance. Moreover, referencing historical examples of similar societies such as dictatorships and cults, the people caged within are held to indoctrination that portrays their ruling system as good and differing systems as bad. This characteristic is made abundantly clear in the text when George explains to Hazel why he will not remove his lead weights explaining “, then other people'd get away with it-and pretty soon we'd be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else (Vonnegut).” George’s understanding, or rather his society’s norm, paints the system of freedom to use one’s gifts as a
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. are good examples of what would happen if one law was created to make a thriving utopia, but it turns it into a frightful dystopia. Both stories have one major law that attempts to create a utopia, but turns it into a dystopia. In Fahrenheit 451, the protagonist, Montag, and his friend, Clarisse, talk about how books are illegal in this society. It says “‘Do you ever read any of the books you burn?’ He laughed.
Since I began high school, language arts has been my most difficult class. It doesn’t quite click with me like math and science do, yet I continue to sign up for the advanced classes to challenge myself. Each assignment can have a huge impact on one’s grade since there aren’t many, and it only added to the stress of this particular essay missing the first couple days we had to work on it. Oddly, we were told to wait before writing the introduction; something I was okay with because introductions and conclusions cause me more apprehension than any other aspect of an essay. We were then told that we were to all write a specific type of introduction.
In this book, the government does everything in their power to make sure that everyone is equal and no one is smarter, stronger, quicker, or better looking than anyone else. If anybody is even the least bit better than someone else, the government handicaps that person so they return to being equal with the rest of the civilization. George is more intelligent than the normal person so the government makes his carry a bag full of lead balls on his shoulders and a mental handicap radio in his ear. “Go on and rest the bag for a little while. I don’t care if you’re not equal to me for a while” (Vonnegut 2).
With injustice and cruelty running rampant in the world, it is unsurprising that people become determined to make things better for tomorrow. The cliché saying that the ends justify the means is often quoted by those aware of the moral greyness of their actions. Commendable yet unreasonable, leaders whose sole purpose in life is to fix what they see as “wrong” with the world fall prey to thinking there is only ally or enemy. In the long run, they harm those they try to liberate.
This government made everyone became handicapped so that everyone is the same and equal and no one is better than the others. Vonnegut’s view on equality is very judgemental and selective. Society these days, pressures
In 'Harrison Bergeron,' Kurt Vonnegut employs various types of figurative language to convey the story's themes and create vivid imagery. Some types of figurative language used in the story include metaphors and hyperbole. The government-issued handicaps that the characters must wear are described as 'bags of lead' and 'spectacles with thick wavy lenses' that distort the wearer's vision, emphasizing the burden and limitation that the handicaps impose on individuals. Hyperbole is also used in the story, such as when the announcer on the television is described as having a voice that is 'like gravel being chewed,' creating a jarring and unpleasant image of the announcer's voice and highlighting the oppressive nature of the society in which the
One common afternoon in the year of 2081, when everyone was equal, Hazel and George Bergeron were in their lovely living room watching television. Suddenly, a news reporter with a severe speech impediment came on. After trying many times to say, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen,” he handed it off to a ballerina who read, “Harrison Bergeron, age 14, has just escaped from jail, where he was held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous.” However, in this short story “Harrison Bergeron”, Kurt Vonnegut uses irony, shift and mood, and allusion to illustrated haw society would be if everyone was under the law of equality.
"A book is a loaded gun in the house next door" (Bradbury 56). This quote was from Fahrenheit 451, a book where technology takes over a society and diverse knowledge is banned. People who own books are deemed crazy and have everything burned down. It connects to Harrison Bergeron, a short story by Kurt Vonnegut, where everyone is equal by bringing everyone down to the lowest average. People in this dystopian society are handicapped mentally and physically and when someone decides to rebel they are met with grave consequences.
Laws are the key to having a well-mannered society. They are created with the intention of bringing good to the civilization. However, even actions with good intentions can end with devastating results. This is what occurs in Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s “Harrison Bergeron”. “Harrison Bergeron” is about a dystopian- like future that has had citizens stripped of their individuality due to an Amendment.
Kurt Vonnegut Jr’s short story, “Harrison Bergeron, “ and Denzel Curry’s song, “Walkin, “ reveal that corruption rooted in society forces us to act against our will as a means of self-preservation. Both of these examples show the limitations of a corrupt government, and how we humans have to react to keep up. The way our system works “handicaps” our ability to perform in our daily lives, as shown by Harrison Bergeron’s handicaps due to his intellectual and physical superiority. In a society where physical and mental ability is looked down upon and judged, they handicap those that have too much power in the community.
The people of the United States fight and strive for an absolute “equal” society, but is it what’s really wanted? “Harrison Bergeron,” a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut, uses satire to describe the deficiency in our idea of a truly “equal” society. Throughout the story, Vonnegut describes the torture and discomfort the government administers among the people, and though they were “equal,” they were not balanced. Vonnegut uses characterization and word choice to warn his readers of the potential drawbacks of a truly “equal” society. He warns normalcy would become the base of thought, and people would become incapable of emotion.
The two stories, “Harrison Bergeron” and Fahrenheit 451, both have common themes. The common themes of the stories may include; our reliance on technology can spiral out of control if we let it, knowledge is joyful and painful, and that we can be confined by our own self-censorship. All of these themes are exhibited throughout both stories frequently. Whether it is as Montag has conflict with his wife over books or as Harrison’s parents forget right from wrong in their society. In Fahrenheit 451, their technology definitely gets out of control.
Kurt Vonnegut uses characterization to describe how the characters act in this society. Vonnegut also uses style to show how he uses science fiction and dystopia in “Harrison Bergeron”. The theme demonstrated in “Harrison Bergeron” is equality is not meant to make one person better than another. Kurt Vonnegut in “Harrison Bergeron”, demonstrates that equality based on characteristics is not a good thing for society. Harrison Bergeron is a short story based on the year 2081, where everybody is equal.
The story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is about a couple, Hazel and George Bergeron, in the distant future when all people must be equal. This equality is reached in the form of handicaps. Weights are placed on the strong and athletic people in society, masks are forced upon the beautiful, and loud noises are constantly blasted into the ears of the intelligent to prevent them from thinking. While most equality is often thought of as good, the story shows a much darker side, using the government’s forceful equalization of the people. “Harrison Bergeron” uses multiple perspectives to highlight the costs of equality paralleled in today’s society.
Thesis: In Kurt Vonnegut 's story, "Harrison Bergeron," symbolism, tone, and irony reveal the author 's message to the reader which is his perspective on equality. Notably, there are countless symbols in the narrative "Harrison Bergeron" all of which trace back to the theme of the story. The handicaps people are forced to wear are symbols for the control the government has over people. "George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn 't be handicapped.