Effects of Equality in “Harrison Bergeron”

Kyle Chandler Professor T. Payne English 1102 4 February 2013 Effects of par in Harri password Bergeron Harrison Bergeron, written by Kurt Vonnegut foc customs on the judgment of physical and kind equivalence, which is controlled by the government in the year 2081 the strong are forced to tear constipations which hinder their abilities, the intellectual are forced to be unintelligent referable to a radio transmitter that wont allow the undivided to think. Vonnegut uses satirical t unity and places this tier in the future, to show how total equality would not work.Not nevertheless does total equality sound absurd it removes the office for item-by-items to be different. Individuality means having a quality that separates one mortal from another. This means that by having total equality, there is a loss of individuality. In Kurt Vonneguts bilgewater Harrison Bergeron, Vonneguts satirical, dystopian corporation in which everyone is average, presents the idea that handicap s that constitute equality also eliminates individuality, along with self-worth. Throughtaboo Harrison Bergeron every genus Phallus of gild is equal. With the use of handicaps no person stomach be in a higher place average intellect, strength or rase appeal.Vonnegut uses word choice that promotes this society is a satire creation early in the story. The Year Was 2081, and everybody was last equal (Vonnegut 7). By throwing in the adjective finally, Vonnegut claims that it should hand over happened sooner, tho as the story goes on it becomes obvious that nothing is attractive around total equality. He opens the second paragraph by introducing the two important characters, George and hazelnut tree. Vonnegut also promotes his satire when the principal(prenominal) characters keep losing train of thought imputable to the fact that George has a handicap that keeps him from thinking too much and chromatic is of average intelligence. There were tears on Hazels cheeks, moreover shed forgotten for the moment what they were about (Vonnegut 7). Having the ability to cry and then no overnight remembering the reasoning for it is not only to a lower place average intelligence, but also in adult malee. By showing that the Hazel does not even have the intelligence to remember something that brings enough emotion to erect tears, Vonnegut presents how these handicaps could not possibly be an improvement to the future because to be rightfully equal you have to be the same as the to the lowest degree intelligent, least strong, and least attractive.He also uses a mocking tone when referring to Georges son Harrison. In the story George st dodges to think about his abnormal son who is in jail but cannot think about it long overdue to the mental handicap (9). The author uses the word abnormal satirically because Harrison is a angiotensin-converting enzyme and an athlete and way above average in every manner(10). The use of satire in Vonneguts story promotes that h andicaps eliminate individuality by making each character the same. By creating total equality in this society, it abolishes the self-worth of the individuals.People gain self-worth by having a quality about them that makes them superior to others, whether it is their intelligence, a hobby they are good at, or a skill they have acquired. In Harrison Bergeron it is no longer possible to have superior qualities and Vonnegut shows this when the main characters are watching a dance recital on television. Hazel states that the dance was nice yet in reality they werent really very good no better than anyone else would have been, anyway (8). This shows that even if the dancers were talented they could not be proud of their talents or display it due to the handicaps.With no reason for individuals to be proud of themselves there is no longer a need for humans to grow. This normality not only ruins leaping as an art but also ruins all other forms of art too. When the musicians play in Harr ison Bergeron it is average until the protagonist Harrison, comes in and strips them of their handicaps for a hapless amount of time (12). The ability to be expressive and different is one of the sole reasons behind art when it comes to musicians and dancers. Artists lose all self-worth that comes with their talent when they can no longer express it.What is the point in developing a skill, if the handicap on it is just going to be increased? as well as the individuals absence of self-worth is mainly due to the vacancy of individuality. Handicaps imperative hoi pollois mental and physical ability removes individuality for every human being. With individuality being a character quality that distinguishes them from others, people no longer have the any qualities that separate them from others. Vonnegut shows this with the main character George, even though his intelligence is way above normal, George has a little mental handicap in his ear (7).Instead of having his intelligence whi ch sets him apart from the normal members of society, the oppressive society that yearns for equality has diminished his individuality. Throughout the whole story there is only one hopeful scene in which individuality is achieved. Harrison Bergeron, the outcast who breaks the lawfulness by not using handicaps when he is incredibly intelligent, strong, and good looking, breaks out of jail and gives the audience a small glance of hope. He goes on public television and exclaims that he is the new emperor and that he is a greater ruler than any man who ever lived (12).Even though Harrison is a bad guy towards other characters, he stands for good in the story because he is the only character with individuality and the ability to remove equality. This glimpse of hope does not last long though because the Handicapper General, the repoint of the police force, comes in and kills George. The satirical tone in Kurt Vonneguts story Harrison Bergeron demonstrates that handicaps throughout the story are not actually an improvement, because they remove the individuals ability to distinguish themselves from others.The restrictions that are placed on people hinder their intellect, strength, and appeal, keeping everyone equal but at the same time, displaying a lack of freedom, self-worth, and individuality. Vonneguts satire tone also exaggerates the idea of equality being a good thing, showing that total equality violates human rights. By setting Harrison Bergeron in the future, Vonnegut shows how total equality would be inapplicable to the audience. Works Cited Vonnegut, Kurt, Jr. Harrison Bergeron 1961. Welcome to the Monkey House. New York Dial workmanship Paper Backs, 2010. 7-14. Print.