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Similarities Between Harrison Bergeron And Fahrenheit 451

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The literary works of “Harrison Bergeron”by Kurt Vonnegut, and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury are satirical portrayals of egalitarian societies that are censored in order to create a faux sense of order . The Prospect of promoting sameness and conformity among all people, and the effects of the forced elimination of citizens’ individuality in order to maintain order is challenged in both societies. In Fahrenheit 451 the possession of books is considered a crime . They believe all members of this community should be equally intelligent, and remain content without learning or exploring the further knowledge offered by reading books. With the multitude of mind-numbing stimulation from advanced technology and a constant bombardment from the media, most …show more content…

Due to regulations instituted by the futuristic government, and enforced by the Handicapper General, all amiable traits or talents are eradicated in order to maintain peace and equality. “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else,” (Vonnegut). The beautiful were to disguise their faces while the smart were to be rendered idiotic .The Handicapper General mandated ear radios in order to scramble the thoughts of those who show intelligence. Handicap weighed down the physically strong rendering them crippled. All citizens were forced to become absolutely the same, and breaking from this equality would be a federal offense. They were forced to abandon the individuality and free thought that could potentially allow for advancements for the community, conforming instead with sameness

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