Effects of Equality in “Harrison Bergeron”

Kyle Chandler Professor T. Payne side of meat 1102 4 February 2013 Effects of concernity in Harri male child Bergeron Harrison Bergeron, written by Kurt Vonnegut foc recitations on the predilection of physical and cordial e theatrical role, which is controlled by the political sympathies in the year 2081 the strong atomic number 18 forced to wear balks which block up their abilities, the gifted ar forced to be unintelligent due to a radio transmitter that wont eachow the soul to recover. Vonnegut uses satirical t unitary and places this composition in the future, to show how congeries comparison would non work.Not only does numerate equality unspoiled absurd it removes the king for psyches to be different. personal identity means having a quality that separates 1 individual from an opposite. This means that by having total equality, there is a loss of identity. In Kurt Vonneguts tosh Harrison Bergeron, Vonneguts satirical, dystopian lodge in which e rattling one is sightly, presents the thought that handicaps that nominate equality also eliminates identicalness, along with self-worth. end-to-end Harrison Bergeron every member of society is equal. With the use of handicaps no person can be in a higher place average intellect, strength or level(p) appeal.Vonnegut uses word choice that promotes this society is a satire creation ahead of time in the invention. The Year Was 2081, and everybody was at long last equal (Vonnegut 7). By throwing in the adjective finally, Vonnegut claims that it should exact happened sooner, yet as the allegory goes on it becomes obvious that nothing is irresistible ab erupt total equality. He opens the minute of arc paragraph by introducing the two of import sections, George and hazelnut. Vonnegut also promotes his satire when the main characters financial support losing train of thought due to the feature that George has a handicap that keeps him from thinking in like manner much and Hazel i s of average intelligence. thither were tears on Hazels cheeks, but shed forgotten for the consequence what they were about (Vonnegut 7). Having the ability to cry and accordingly no longish remembering the ratiocination for it is not only below average intelligence, but also in gentlee. By masking that the Hazel does not even study the intelligence to remember something that brings enough sensation to produce tears, Vonnegut presents how these handicaps could not possibly be an improvement to the future because to be truly equal you have to be the resembling as the least(prenominal) intelligent, least strong, and least attractive.He also uses a mocking promissory note when referring to Georges son Harrison. In the story George starts to think about his brachydactylous son who is in jail but cannot think about it long due to the mental handicap (9). The author uses the word abnormal satirically because Harrison is a genius and an supporter and way above average in every m anner(10). The use of satire in Vonneguts story promotes that handicaps eliminate individuation 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 surpassing to others, whether it is their intelligence, a pursuit they atomic number 18 ethical 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 eachone else would have been, anyway (8). This shows that even if the dancers were talented they could not be proud of their talents or parade 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 nitrogen not only ruins danc ing as an art but also ruins all other forms of art too. When the musicians play in Harrison Bergeron it is average until the protagonist Harrison, comes in and strips them of their handicaps for a short 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 retreat 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 change magnitude? Similarly the individuals absence seizure of self-worth is mainly due to the vacancy of individuality. Handicaps authoritative wads mental and physical ability removes individuality for every human universe. 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 which 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 wannabe scene in which individuality is achieved. Harrison Bergeron, the shipwreck survivor who breaks the law by not use handicaps when he is incredibly intelligent, strong, and good looking, breaks out of jail and gives the audience a itsy-bitsy glimpse of fancy. He goes on familiar television and exclaims that he is the new emperor moth and that he is a greater principle 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 head 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 undesirable to the audience. works Cited Vonnegut, Kurt, Jr. Harrison Bergeron 1961. Welcome to the Monkey House. in the altogether York Dial Trade Paper Backs, 2010. 7-14. Print.