Harrison Bergeron Personal Response

Nikita Ruggieri                                                                    March 2nd, 2017

                             Harrison Bergeron Personal Response

The short story, Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut includes various themes. The most important theme is one’s individuality is compromised when others control their thoughts and capabilities. Harrison Bergeron is an individual with much potential and power due to his intelligence, strength and personality, the government fears that he will one day overcome them due to his intelligence. During 2081, the majority of society is modified with handicaps, whether it is to modify one’s appearance with the help of a mask or an electronic transmitter. These handicaps interrupt one’s personal thoughts by creating sharp loud sounds and the masks, which disguise an individual’s beauty and purity.  One’s individuality is adjusted to satisfy the government’s desires rather than the individuals themselves. For example, Harrison’s brilliant mind was capable of overpowering the government and they were clearly aware of that. Therefore, they diminished his capabilities by forcing him to have handicaps. He was a very strong individual with the great capacity of overpowering anyone that would cross his path. Therefore, they obliged him to place weight on his shoulders to diminish his strength, which was a form of handicap according to the government. Why diminish one’s capabilities when it is obvious that they can help make the world a better place and evolve mankind? Clearly, the government is attempting to hide something that is very confidential and powerful. If they are going to the extents of creating handicaps to make society less powerful and diplomatic they are up to something. Not only is the creation of handicaps allowing the government to control society from head to toe but they are also jeopardizing one’s individuality. These handicaps control one’s self esteem making them believe they are not better than anyone since they are equal to the entire society. How does one reach for the stars if their wings are removed from their body? If one has nothing to look forward to in their life or no one to compete against, how do they live to their full potential?

The author uses interesting and compelling codes and conventions in this short story. One code and convention used in this text is irony. Throughout the short story, it is obvious that the government controls all of society. Although, they believe that handicaps create equality, in reality it creates unfairness. The government rules every individual and once an individual attempts to rebel, they shoot him or her. Ironic isn’t it? For example, when Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General shot Harrison. Harrison’s bright, lively and free soul danced with the hopes that the whole world was watching! He was attempting to persuade society that their uniqueness had importance and that they deserved to be free and not imprisoned by the government. Since the high forces took charge of society no one had a soul except Harrison but he shortly died after convincing the world that. Another code and convention used in the short story is symbolism. In this short story, handicaps symbolize equality. While in the real world, handicaps symbolize differences. The government is aware that handicaps create differences; therefore they manipulated society to live with handicaps so that everyone would be the same. Society is inferior to the government since the authorities stripped the mankind from their individuality. For example, Hazel who is an average individual with low knowledge, strength and capabilities does not posses any handicaps. On the other hand, her husband who is extremely smart, strong and bold posses many handicaps. This symbolizes that handicaps compromise one’s individuality. George’s individuality is manipulated and corrupted by the government leaving him with nothing but handicaps that alter who he truly is. The irony and symbolisms in this texttruly bring voice to the story and the characters.

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