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.

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