Harrison Bergeron Theme
In the short story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Vonnegut implies that everyone being equal is bad for society because of the loss of individuality. In this society the Estate General make citizens wear a mask to hide individual attribute’s so one doesn’t look better than another. When Harrison picks his empress, “he removed her mask. She was blindingly beautiful”(4). When the dancer takes off her mask and danced with Harrison while additionally new music is being played, there is a sense of joy and happiness in the room. This brought out each individual's actual talents in these different areas. After the Bergeron’s son has just been shot on television, they forget about the whole incident. “‘You been crying’ he said to Hazel.
‘Yup’, she said. ‘What about?’ he said. ‘I forget,’ she said. ‘Something real sad on television’”(5). Although it seems good that they forget about losing their son, memories bitter or cheerful make up who an individual is and without these experiences one cannot be unique as their own self. Vonnegut’s reason for writing this short story was to show the reader that losing one’s memories and talents leads to a dreadful and unhappy society.
‘Yup’, she said. ‘What about?’ he said. ‘I forget,’ she said. ‘Something real sad on television’”(5). Although it seems good that they forget about losing their son, memories bitter or cheerful make up who an individual is and without these experiences one cannot be unique as their own self. Vonnegut’s reason for writing this short story was to show the reader that losing one’s memories and talents leads to a dreadful and unhappy society.