Individualism Vs Equality In Harrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut
The majority of today’s society believes that total equality is worth the fight. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut focuses on hindering an individual’s greatest qualities to achieve an ironically equal society. Better looking people were forced to wear masks to look uglier, smarter individuals had earplugs that would play noises that alter their ability to think, and stronger people had to carry weights around with them to feel weaker.
One would say that equality is achieved in the short story, but the loss of freedom and individual achievement makes the fight for equality quite questionable. The theme is best demonstrated through the use of Marxist Criticism lens theory. The class division is the difference between the handicapper government and the handicapped. This society thrives because of the distinction in these classes. They have known this lifestyle all their lives and eventually got used to it. The handicapped people suffer from oppression and are tortured daily. They are being altered and hurt with no chance of escape whatsoever. Their thoughts are constantly being distorted, making personal relationships harder and harder to achieve. The society was also brainwashed to an extent where they believe if total equality is not achieved, the world would become a chaotic place: 'If I tried to get away with it,' said George, 'then other people'd get away with it-and pretty soon we'd be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn't like that, would you?'.
The rebellious rise of power may also lead to great self-destruction. This was shown through Harrison’s attempt to distorting an already distorted society and his plans in overthrowing the government. His physical strengths were also shown by escaping prison. Harrison’s actions and beliefs are considered a huge threat to a government that seeks to maintain equality. His rise for power ultimately caused his death: “It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, 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.”
While Harrison views his activities as a heroic coup against the totalitarian government, the failure of his own parents to remember — let alone discover significance in it — their experience of Harrison's art and their later sorrow at his death challenges whether his life sacrifice to oppose the government will have any impact whatsoever. Harrison's death at the end of the tale, combined with the failure of his parents to mourn or challenge his death's nature, indicates that individualism was lost to complete equality.
