Harrison Bergeron

Literary Analysis: Harrison Bergeron

Harrison Bergeron is a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut, that sets out to explain future America. The themes and symbols in this story are very strong characteristic that defines America, society, an individuality. A few symbols are Harrison Bergeron himself, because he represents freedom, that is constantly being strived for. As well as, the handicaps that illustrate chains holding the society members back, from being who they are and noise that shows how the members are mentally restrained. Themes in this story are freedom, individuality, and equality, witch perfectly describe what America was fighting for in 1961, the year this story was published.

This story takes place in the future during the year 2081, in America. The society has been changed tremendously due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments added to the constitution. These new amendments made it so that everyone in the society is on the same level, as far as appearance, intelligence, and strength. “All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution” (Vonnegut pg.1). The government in this story is represented by the handicap generals, who are at all times very strict, regarding to the society members. “the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the

floor” (Vonnegut pg.4). These individuals are the ones that enforce all handicaps that are placed on the people. Also, they make it known to society that anyone who tries to break free from the

handicaps will suffer extreme consequences according to their actions. The handicaps are just one of the many symbols in this story that represent, chains holding the citizens back from being who they are. “He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous.” (Vonnegut pg.2). One of the handicaps given to Harrison Bergeron is spectacles that are intended to make him half blind and give him major headaches. “the spectacles were intended to make him not only half blind, but to give him whanging headaches besides” (Vonnegut pg.3).Harrison Bergeron was very intelligent and strong, therefore causing him to have an excessive amount of handicaps. However, this particular handicap given, shows just how much the government felt the need to keep the society members a bay. Handicap generals allow for physical and mental harm to society members. Ultimately this handicap was just one of the ways the handicap generals kept intelligent, strong individuals in a controlled state.

This story was published in 1961, during this time in the America, society was fighting against segregation, and fighting for equality and freedom of expression. Understanding these facts allow for many connections to be made in this piece of literature and as to why the author was inspired to, imagine and write this theme. The theme ties into the history of America perfectly, because Harrison Bergeron represents what society needed to break free from, witch was conformity amongst one another. Harrison Bergeron in this story is a symbol that represents freedom. “Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness”(Vonnegut pg.3).Relating this short story to America at the time it was written, shows that the theme expresses how complete equality is not worth attempting in the world. The authors message is that individuality is an amazing thing that America does not need to be afraid of. Without individuality, society, government, and America would be weak. “And then, in an explosion of joy and grace, into the air they sprang! Not only were the laws of the land abandoned, but the law of gravity and thelaws of motion as well.” (Vonnegut pg.4).

The short story, Harrison Bergeron, is overall a strong piece that explains individuality, freedom and equality. Connecting America at that time to this story, has allowed me to notice the similarities in the two worlds. For example, no matter how the society is there will always be a group of people, breaking away from control. This society is one that I hope will never come to fruition.