Inequality In Today's Harrison Bergeron

Societies vary depending on region and culture, but. But all societies have the characteristics of strict conformity, intolerance for the unique, as well as perfect functionality. The society shown in Harrison Bergeron is as follows: “Everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal in every which way. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General” (Last name 1). This is the dream of society: perfect conformity and functionality. “Everybody was finally equal” (1) shows that society had finally achieved its goal of conformity.

Even though there are lots of similarity between the two texts they have their differences. One difference is that

In a society like one in Harrison Bergeron, people are obligated to wear handicapping devices to make sure that everybody was equal in all areas of everyday life, but these handicaps clearly were not successful in creating equality. To add on, these devices were made to allow everyone to have the same amount of skill as others, therefore ruling out the problem of jealousy and judgement. If anything, I feel like these handicapping devices had only made the problem of lack of equality worse than it was before.

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if everyone was legally forced into the governments opinion of equality? In Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s short story "Harrison Bergeron", it is the year 2081 and the government has altered society to be mentally, physically and socially equal. The beautiful people are covered with hideous masks, the intelligent people wear ear pieces that let off loud obnoxious sounds at random to throw off there thought process and the strong people wear weights to be equal to the weaker people. The society is not equal because no one can truly be changed unless they want to be. Putting a handicap on an intelligent person does not make him or her equal to an average person,

Imagine having a handicap everywhere you go and having a friend who doesn’t have a handicap, because they’re less skilled. Does this make it seem equal?  Well, it seem like the story “Harrison Bergeron” will answer that, depending on what you think is equal.  In this case, I find that everyone was not truly equal in “Harrison Bergeron.”

The only thing preventing Harrison from success; was the only true thing that ensures equality - the firearm, which Diana Moon Glampers just happened to have. That is why it is nicknamed “the Great Equalizer;” because strength or speed are no match for a speeding bullet. The firearm does not enforce equality in the same way as enforced as in the society in “Harrison Bergeron,” it strengthens the individual rather than weakening them. Ironically, Glampers manipulates this, allowing a frail little woman (suggested by her odd name), to stand up to a strong, brolic man, proving this hindrance is inherently unequal.

Often times our society confuses equality for equal. Although the words may look same and share similar letters, the two have completely different definitions. As an African American citizen living in America I feel like we focus much on being equal opposed to having equality. Thus when having equality you are giving equal opportunity and more door become available, despite when being equal you are just like everyone else. However, unlike the novel “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I would rather have equality than to be one hundred percent equal to someone else. When making everyone equal you take away ones individuality, creativity, and strengths; eliminating competition and status feuds. Yet in order for them to make everyone equal they must instill fear and diagnoses everyone with false handicaps.

On page 34, line two, it is stated that “They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else.” It can be inferred that the government in Harrison Bergeron is very controlling and are trying to make sure no one has any type of advantage over anyone else, so everyone is essentially the same.

Imagine a place where there are no decisions to make throughout the day. In this place, everyone’s career gets chosen for them, and their hopes, dreams, and aspirations are given to them. There are none of those difficult life decisions to make because they will be made for everybody. Now despite all these seemingly terrible things, we do get something great from all the sacrifices: equality. In this world everyone is equal; no one person smarter, more athletic, more talented, or better than any other. Everyone in this place completely equal, and all thanks to the government, the authorities, the higher-ups, “the man,” or whatever these enforcers’ wish to be called. The world of Harrison Bergeron functions like this. Now while it may seem

Assessing our world now, many would believe that is the best time to be alive. More and more people are given the basic needs to survive with a dramatic poverty reduction. Compared to a century ago, individual freedoms and democracy have drastically grown. Rights for all people was once unthinkable, but it is now a cultural norm. Yet humanity still suffers from daily inequalities that leave victims of our system with no possibilities. Maybe nature is survival of the fittest, only letting people with the best qualities and opportunities succeed. To solve the issue of suffering, utilitarians have looked towards complete equality for all. Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut illustrates extreme “equality”, in a sense that makes everybody the

In the story “Harrison Bergeron,” society would have been better off if Harrison had been in charge instead of Diana Moon Glampers. Harrison shows a glimpse of how society could be better if he were in charge when he took off the handicaps from the ballerinas and musicians. The ballerinas were able to dance more freely, “The reeled, whirled, swiveled, flounced, capered, gamboled, and spun” (Vonnegut 40). When the ballerinas danced and the musicians played their instruments without the handicapped devices, there was such a big difference on how much better things could be when everyone isn’t equal. Because Harrison was the one who removed the handicapped devices and showed how much better it would be when everyone is unequal, proves the society

What defines equality? Harrison Bergeron by Kiel Vonnegut has an overlapping theme of equality being unachievable without removal of individuality. In the written document, Declaration of Independence equality is given to all, by creation of democracy and liberties government must oblige to for citizens. Instead, of Harrison Bergeron, the Declaration of Independence treats all citizens equally, no matter race, gender, or level of intelligence.

In "Harrison Bergeron" everyone is believed to be equal, but I see things in a completely different way. I see everyone has been given a unique handicap and also a unique talent/gift. My belief is that nobody is created equally. We were created to be different not the same. We are meant to be unique and different its what makes us humans in the end.

“The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Aristotle spoke these wise words. Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron” exemplifies just how unjust true equality can be. Though inequality can be hard to see as an insider, it can be overwhelmingly evident from the outside looking in.

Furthermore, the denouement to Harrison's motivation, he is motivated by wanting inequality. As Harrison enters the studio with the townspeople and ballerinas, he begins his plan to defy the government. To start off his plan, he begins ripping off his handicaps to show his true magnificent self, “ I am the emperor” cried Harrison… “I shall now select my empress he said... Let the first woman who dares rise to her feet claim her mate and her throne” (16). In this part of the story, he is claiming his queen and as he has done to his, he finishes removing his handicaps and removes hers as well revealing a beautiful ballerina. Harrison is showing how he will revolt and is getting others to join him. Harrison then removes the musician's handicaps