Sample 1
Mia Sample
Ms. James
ENG II, Period 0
01 September 2014
True Equality?: A review of “Harrison Bergeron”
The difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome is an often ignored
one. Kurt Vonnegut makes sure to remind the readers of the sharp contrast through his satirical short
story, “Harrison Bergeron”. A satire is something that criticizes and exposes the ignorance, impracticality
or vices of a society and its ideas; in this case, the critique is of equality. Though Vonnegut expertly
convinces the audience that equality needs to be defined, he also maintains a kind of elementary writing
style.
“Harrison Bergeron” is a short story about a dystopian society in which equality is achieved at
the expense of uniqueness and capability. Completely hindering the qualities of the smart, beautiful,
agile and gifted, this 2081 society requires handicaps to provide an equal kind of disability that
eliminates inferiority. However, Charles Darwin’s evolution swings back full-blown and produces our
titled character, Harrison, as a kind of monstrous child born with all needed to defy the handicaps and
restore individuality. Nevertheless, in a place of full equality, difference is not tolerated, and Harrison is
murdered before his parents, who are unable to grieve his death. A disturbing, yet interesting story that
is beautifully characterized.
Kurt Vonnegut brings to life the possibilities of “equality” by exposing an extreme response to
the outcries of the public. Most people demand equality, but never specify how it should look. On the
first page, we are introduced to our two main characters, George and Hazel Bergeron who are a
perfectly “normal” couple with average intelligence and ability (Vonnegut 1). However, we immediately
see that the equality is unfairly established through handicaps to make George and Hazel even in
Sample 2
intelligence and ability when naturally they are not (1). Kurt Vonnegut eliminates the “differences” of
the characters through societal mandated handicaps, but also shows the audience how impossible and
unfair the handicaps are by characterizing George as more relatable to the reader’s average intelligence
and Hazel to the lower (1-2). This society does indeed achieve exactly what it wants—equality for
everyone in everything—but at a high cost, as shown by George. A glimmer of hope is brought in the
form of Harrison as a character. Harrison outgrows and shatters the handicaps rigged to try and lower
him to “normal,” but it is impossible; much like the impossibility of that working in real life. In a fit of
freedom and defiance, he characterizes the beauty and chaos that is individuality (5). Nevertheless,
because equality is what the people want, equality is what they will have, and Harrison is gunned down
for his crime, returning order and peace to the “equal” nation (5). It becomes obvious that equality may
or may not be what this society has. The reader is then forced to try and define equality as it is desired.
Without definition, the doors of radical ideas are thrown open and made more possible without
resistance, restraint and true agreement on what is equality. The extremity of the situation rightly elicits
unrest for the readers and exposes the impracticality of desiring “equality” in its abstract entirety. The
story is effective in satirizing equality, but fails to fully engage the reader with the voice and language of
a good writer.
Kurt Vonnegut is obviously a great thinker, as seen in the thought experiment of this story.
However, his writing is very simple and repetitive, thus unable to immerse the readers in a full
experience of the story. Alongside with repeating the writer forbidden “(s)he said” after every line of
dialogue, he also gives simple descriptions. When Harrison declares himself emperor and flaunts his
individuality, the reader does receive a full, basic image of what is happening—the imagery is present
(5). But considering the level of critical thinking that is required to perceive and communicate such an
immense idea, his simple description of dancing, kissing, and shooting is not much higher than a junior
high or high school student—a bit of a disappointment for what we would expect of a satirist. On top of
Sample 3
that, Vonnegut leaves the audience riddled with questions during some of his descriptions. Harrison and
his bride defy gravity when they first dance, but how is that possible? A kind of weightlessness could
surely be expected when they abandon the birdshot weights attached to their bodies; but to experience
literal weightlessness is beyond fathom of the educated thinker and leaves one to wonder how this is
justified. However, no justification is provided, and the story ends with loose ties, but not a cliff hanger.
The craft of the writing is elementary at best, though the ideas are superior.
In the satire of “Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut, a bad idea of equality is exposed in a
brilliant, yet unflattering way. Equality of outcome is something that most would agree is not desirable
because it would hinder individuality. Nevertheless, if it was not for Vonnegut’s satirical thought
experiment, no one may have realized that.
Works Cited
Vonnegut, Kurt. "Harrison Bergeron." Internet Archive. N.p., 10 Mar. 2001. Web. 30 Aug. 2014.
<https://archive.org/stream/HarrisonBergeron/Harrison%2520Bergeron#page/n3/mode/2up>.