ipl-logo

Discrimination In Kurt Vonnegut's Welcome Of The Monkey House

732 Words3 Pages

If all people are created equal of being by the same creator, then. Because of these theoretical principles, it is the responsibility of those who experience human rights to advocate for the equality of being for all people. This desire for equality of being constitutes as racial equality, gender equality, or equality of opportunity among social classes. Since humanity is not created the same, humanity cannot establish a consensus regarding the moral sentiment of equality to negate the extent of endowed human rights. Therefore, humanity’s lack of sameness leads to tension in defining the extent of efforts in advocating for human rights. This tension obligates the American role in the advocation of human rights because Americans experience human …show more content…

Americans who desire an equality of being also desire the removal of discrimination. Yet the complete abolition of discrimination leads to complete sameness, which demolishes the American freedoms. In Kurt Vonnegut’s short story Welcome to the Monkey House, he depicts a dystopian society whose government mandates that all people accept the equal standard of capability. To make this possible, the government required each person to accept individualized handicaps which limited their individualism; such as their intelligence, beauty, or strength to an equal standard of capacity. Vonnegut’s depiction reveals an extremity of efforts a society made to achieve total equality. However, because humanity lacks sameness, equality is not attainable. Differences within a society provides innovation; while sameness deprives society of individualism. In addition, Americans are responsible for the elimination of freedoms if they permit their government the power to enforce sameness in their effort to attain equality. Therefore, Americans must remain cognizant of the effects of their efforts while advocating for the equality of being; careful not to destroy their American

Show More
Related

  • Free Will In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

    640 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the story entitled “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut, he writes that year of 2081, everyone would be truly equal. I disagree with this vision because handicaps, power, and free will paint an unequal society in “Harrison Bergeron”. Some people have handicaps, which are supposed to “equalize” their abilities to the others in society. However, the idea of handicaps is not actually equalizing because different people with different handicaps and abilities are unable to feel or understand each other’s circumstances, struggles, and experiences.

    Read More

  • War Of 1812 Dbq Essay

    1871 Words  | 8 Pages

    Throughout the annals of American history, the advocation for freedom, and the absorption of ideals such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been at the forefront of the American belief. These beliefs were implemented in 1776 through the Declaration of Independence. This document was ratified by recalcitrant Americans who would not tolerate subjection to tyrannical rule. The American people hoped this document would seal their fate in relation to Europe, and prove to them, and frankly the entire world, that they were a separate, sufficient nation. But as the years unfolded, the realization that America would continue to be considered an inferior nation arose.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Wilson And Harrison Bergeron

    776 Words  | 4 Pages

    Honore de Balzac once wrote “Equality may perhaps be a right, but no power on earth can ever turn into a fact.” There will always be talk of equality but, equality is essentially impossible to achieve. The society from “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. and the society from “Is the U.S a land of liberty or equality?” by Robert J. Samuelson, both speak of equality and have fundamentally reached that main goal, but their aspects of equality are conflicting and are completely different. Both societies want equality, freedom, and liberty. Samuelson’s article from The Washington Post argues how the society of the United States must preserve freedom and promote equality.

    Read More

  • Thomas Paine's View Of Coexism In America

    757 Words  | 4 Pages

    Within the early revolutionary epoch of American history brought various interpretations of the country. Thomas Paine characterized this country in an excerpt from his work the Rights of Man. Unfortunately, Thomas Paine’s characterization of America does not entirely hold truth today, and can be evident in our country’s political and identity ideologies. The key points within the excerpt implies that America is a country where a multitude of cultures, religions, and languages coexist. Paine suggests that our government, which was created “on the principles of society and the rights of man”, is able to overcome the differences of political and racial beliefs.

    Read More

  • Individuality In Harrison Bergeron

    979 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aristotle once said, “The worst form of inequality, is trying to make unequal things equal.” A major example of this concept of inequality displays itself through humans. Although people may seem similar and equal, each personality and talent differs from one another. Now one might wonder what it would be like if every single person were truly equal. This theme is developed in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, and also in the film 2081 directed by Chandler Tuttle.

    Read More

  • Effects Of Harrison Bergeron

    1046 Words  | 5 Pages

    While the kind of equality that people strive for today is largely beneficial, extreme equality can have detrimental effects. Over the course of history, numerous struggles involving equality among minorities have arisen. From the fight for equality among different races to the ongoing struggle that women still face today, equality will always be seen as a goal for those who may be affected by it. While equality can mean more opportunities for others and prevent unjust discrimination, the fight for equality can be taken to levels that could potentially be harmful to some. This extreme equality is exaggerated in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., where everyone in the world is governed by complete and utter equality.

    Read More

  • What Is The Theme Of Harrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut

    165 Words  | 1 Pages

    Equality is a great idea that we should strive for and achieve; however, being made equal physically and mentally by the government could be very unfair. People should still have characteristics that make us different. One can be diverse but still equal to his neighbor. Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s use of point of view, conflict, and imagery in his short story “Harrison Bergeron,” illustrates how difficult living in a world where everyone is the same would be.

    Read More

  • The Consequences Of Equality In Anthem And Harrison Bergeron

    1100 Words  | 5 Pages

    Equality is what most people strive for in their lives. Like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” humans are constantly searching for the “just right” idea. However, hopefully we understand that there are flaws in society so it can never be ‘just right’ or completely equal. Both authors of dystopian stories, such as Ayn Rand, author of the novella Anthem, and Kurt Vonnegut, author of the short story“Harrison Bergeron”, display what total equality is and its consequences in a dystopian society. These stories explain thoroughly how the idea of equality is naturally impossible and how corruption will always exist.

    Read More

  • Single Paragraph Essay: Harrison Bergeron

    208 Words  | 1 Pages

    Single Paragraph Essay “ Harrison Bergeron ” “ Harrison Bergeron ,” written by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. focuses on equality — physically andmentally — strongly controlled by the government in the year 2081; the beautiful are forced tolook ugly, the physically skilled are required to wear weights. With these handicaps makingeveryone so equal, the world became very different, odd, and average. But the government hasno right or reason to push the whole world to be “…equal every which way.” (203) To suppress someone’s natural looks or physical talents is not only wrong to natural human rights, but it is also illegal, and for very good reason: everyone is different.

    Read More

  • Why Is America Justified Dbq

    706 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the annals of American history, the advocation for freedom, and the absorption of ideals such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have been at the forefront of the American belief. These beliefs were implemented in 1776, through the Declaration of Independence. This document was ratified by recalcitrant Americans who would not tolerate subjection to tyrannical rule. The American people hoped this document would seal their fate in relation to Europe, and prove to Europe, and frankly the entire world, that they were a separate, sufficient nation. But as the years unfolded, the realization that America would continue to be considered an inferior nation arose.

    Read More

  • Satire In Harrison Bergeron

    589 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rights Of Man By Thomas Paine Analysis

    864 Words  | 4 Pages

    America, the land of the free, was founded upon the standards life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In America’s early years, Thomas Paine, in his book Rights of Man characterized this country’s government as functioning in unison with no difficulties. When you break it down and look at the big picture, some people will argue that increased diversity has brought the nation to an all time peak, in terms of unity. Meanwhile, others maintain the idea that Thomas Paine’s assessment is mistaken for what is to one day be achieved. Yet while we would like to believe in his visionary, it unfortunately does not hold true today regarding both our modern politics and social principles.

    Read More

  • What Is The Cost Of Equality In Harrison Bergeron

    519 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Five Foundations Of America's Political System

    604 Words  | 3 Pages

    America’s society has some distinctive characteristics that separate it from that of the rest of the world. Although diverse, the American society is unified in the number of traits that they all share. All American citizens value their individuality as well as their equality. Americans are not afraid to voice their opinions or to oppose something that they disagree with. If there is something that is not right, Americans will not hesitate to work towards positive change of that cause.

    Read More

  • Social Justice Refugee

    1120 Words  | 5 Pages

    Correspondingly, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights depend on dignity, equality and mutual respect – regardless of your nationality, your religion or your beliefs. Your rights are tied in with being dealt with reasonably and treating others decently, and being able to make on decisions about your own life. These fundamental human rights are: Universal; They have a place with every one of us; They can't be detracted from us, Indivisible and independent Governments should not have the capacity to choose

    Read More

More about Discrimination In Kurt Vonnegut's Welcome Of The Monkey House

Open Document