Short Essay

Bergeron 3

Short Essay

In the short story , `Harrison Bergeron , the author Kurt Vonnegut has presented his views concerning the nature of American society . The author has presented a critique of the possible future of the American society

The main theme of this story is egalitarianism . Through this story , the author mocks at the attempt to bring uniformity by ironically presenting the method of bringing equality between the individuals in the American society . However , it is important to remember that imposed uniformity or equality destroys all individuality and creative abilities

. This story can be considered as the critique of the idea that the greatest ideal is to establish equality , by using any means , between individuals in the society . This criticism of the contemporary society is brought out when the author begins the story with the statement that : The year was 2081 , and everybody was finally equal (Vonnegut , para 1 . This statement can be considered as the thesis of the author that egalitarianism is not that acceptable as it destroys the creative abilities of the individuals . The government , according to this story introduced amendments to the constitution , according to which all beautiful , capable , and talented individuals were required to reduce their rare abilities in to establish an egalitarian society . The charge of bringing about this equality is given to given to United States Handicapper General . The term `handicapper ' is significant because it implies that the people with less abilities were given the power to reduce the strengths of those people who possessed greater abilities . It is interesting to note that instead of improving the ability of people , the administration attempts to lower the abilities of people , and perhaps this is the only way to build an egalitarian society

The author refers to the family of George and Hazel Bergeron and their son Harrison . Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence (Vonnegut para 3 , which was ideal for the present American society which demanded less from the people . On the other hand George , who was intelligent had a little mental handicap radio in his ear (Vonnegut , para 3 )He was supposed to wear this transmitter as there was a possibility of George taking advantage of his intellectual abilities . The reference to Hazel and George is the perfect example of the attitude of the government towards the people who possessed better intellect . George 's intellectual ability was reduced by the transmitter given by the government . On the other hand , Hazel did not have any obligation to wear such instruments , as she possessed lesser abilities

George and Hazel are presented as discussing the TV program , and the problem caused to George due to the instrument that created noise in his ears . However , Hazel is jealous of George because she was not given the facility of wearing such an instrument . However , George is not able to get rid of the mental handicap because this may encourage him to compete with other people , and according government laws , it is not proper to compete with other individuals...