Harrison Bergeron
Elena Johnston
American Studies
Mr. Chau
09/02/13
Harrison Bergeron
1. The simplicity of the world created by Vonnegut may appeal to some, but I could never live in such a society where ones thought process is limited to average and the government plays such an overbearing role in the community. People who are born with “above average” intelligence are immediately controlled by handicapper devices to limit their brilliance. Some are given a device that partially alter their sight of vision, or creates alarming sounds in ones brain. The government claims that this creates equality unachievable by any other method. I would consider living in such a society if the thought process were not as limited. One should be free to have uncontrolled thoughts and wishes as pleased without the government dismissing them.
2. Harrison Bergeron, the outlawed son of George and Hazel Bergeron, was sent to jail for plotting to overthrow the government. His role is limited in the short story but the representation he brings helps us define his stance on such terms as equality, democracy, and freedom. Harrison was obviously keen on freedom due to his supposed “escape” from under the government’s grasp. He would define freedom as the right to think, do, and earn under ones own influence without another power suppressing you. Bergeron would describe equality as mistreatment because of the society he lived in. Harrison grew up knowing equality as having Handicapper Generals and being controlled by supreme powers in everyday life. Due to this former life, the term democracy would be of a foreign concept to him. He has not lived under a democracy where one votes for a man to control the rights and responsibilities of the people. Unlike Harrison, Diana Moon Glampers would define such democracy and freedom with extreme disgust. She would be outraged at the fact that one should have the freedom and right to vote in a civilized manner that encourages uncontrolled thought.
American Studies
Mr. Chau
09/02/13
Harrison Bergeron
1. The simplicity of the world created by Vonnegut may appeal to some, but I could never live in such a society where ones thought process is limited to average and the government plays such an overbearing role in the community. People who are born with “above average” intelligence are immediately controlled by handicapper devices to limit their brilliance. Some are given a device that partially alter their sight of vision, or creates alarming sounds in ones brain. The government claims that this creates equality unachievable by any other method. I would consider living in such a society if the thought process were not as limited. One should be free to have uncontrolled thoughts and wishes as pleased without the government dismissing them.
2. Harrison Bergeron, the outlawed son of George and Hazel Bergeron, was sent to jail for plotting to overthrow the government. His role is limited in the short story but the representation he brings helps us define his stance on such terms as equality, democracy, and freedom. Harrison was obviously keen on freedom due to his supposed “escape” from under the government’s grasp. He would define freedom as the right to think, do, and earn under ones own influence without another power suppressing you. Bergeron would describe equality as mistreatment because of the society he lived in. Harrison grew up knowing equality as having Handicapper Generals and being controlled by supreme powers in everyday life. Due to this former life, the term democracy would be of a foreign concept to him. He has not lived under a democracy where one votes for a man to control the rights and responsibilities of the people. Unlike Harrison, Diana Moon Glampers would define such democracy and freedom with extreme disgust. She would be outraged at the fact that one should have the freedom and right to vote in a civilized manner that encourages uncontrolled thought.