Vonegut--Harrison Bergeron

Overview of "Harrison Bergeron"

• Author: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

• Year: 2081

• Central Theme: The pursuit of enforced equality in society and the consequences.

Setting

• Time: Year 2081

• Society: A dystopian future where everyone is made equal by law.

• Legal Amendments: 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution.

• Government Authority: United States Handicapper General oversees the enforcement of equality.

Characters

George and Hazel Bergeron

• Parents of Harrison Bergeron.

• Hazel:

  • Average intelligence, physically unhandicapped.

  • Her thought process is limited to short bursts due to her average intelligence.

• George:

  • Above-average intelligence but wears a mental handicap radio.

  • Experiences sharp noises disrupting his thoughts to maintain societal equality.

Harrison Bergeron

• Fourteen-year-old son of George and Hazel.

• Described as intelligent and athletic but confined due to his abilities.

• Escapes from jail where he was held for plotting to overthrow the government.

Plot Summary

Introduction to Equality

• Society values absolute equality, emphasizing lack of superiority in intelligence, beauty, or physical abilities.

• Individuals wear handicaps to ensure equal capability.

Daily Life of the Bergerons

• George and Hazel watch television featuring handicapped ballerinas to emphasize mediocrity.

• Conversations reveal their inability to think deeply due to government-imposed handicaps.

Events Leading to Harrison's Escape

• Bald dancer descriptions suggest the extent of handicaps.

• Government messages broadcast by handicapped announcers.

• News bulletin introduces Harrison’s escape and his exceptional traits.

Harrison’s Rebellion

• Harrison's dramatic entrance in the television studio captivates the audience.

• Proclaims himself as "The Emperor" and expresses desire for freedom from handicaps.

• Confrontation with authority as he removes all his handicaps, revealing his physical prowess.

The Dance of Freedom

• Harrison selects a ballerina as his empress, creating a moment of beauty and defiance against the oppressive regime.

• They dance, showcasing potential beyond imposed limitations, achieving a moment of true freedom and grace.

• The scene symbolizes the human spirit's desire for transcendence over societal constraints.

Climactic Conclusion

• Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, violently restores the status quo.

• Executes Harrison and the ballerina to re-establish control and maintain societal norms.

Final Scene

• The aftermath of the execution: George and Hazel's inability to grasp the tragic events due to their handicaps.

• Hazel's forgetfulness and George's desensitized state highlight the impact of enforced equality on individual thought and emotion.