How To Conform To Society In Harrison Bergeron

Every society has a mold. If a person cannot fit into that mold, they cannot conform to that society, which leaves them as an individual. Society can be a detriment to one’s individuality by casting them aside and portraying them as an evil. If not accepted into society, an individual may have no choice but to fight against the society by acting out, however, an individual is only one person and one person cannot do much against a society of many. In “Harrison Bergeron”, Harrison is an outcast in the society and is therefore dangerous, “...’has just escaped from jail, where he is held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government’” (Vonnegut 629). When society doesn't accept someone, that someone is forced to either live on their own or fight the society. Unfortunately, most of the time the individual acts alone because they are just that, an individual and not much can be done
In “What Soft- Cherubic Creatures” women are supposed to be gentle humans and if they are not, “be so- ashamed of Thee” (Dickinson line 10). If someone doesn’t conform to society, they are cast aside and not accepted. People who do not fit the mold of society cannot be apart of society. Individuals can try to change and conform but are then not living their true self. In “Much Madness is divinest Sense” a person who doesn’t fit in is looked at as unsafe, “Demur- you’re straightway dangerous” (Dickinson line 6). Once you disagree with society, you no longer fit the mold and are therefore an individual. Societies do not accept people who don’t agree with them. In “What Soft- Cherubic Creatures” and “Much Madness is divinest Sense” people are breaking out of the molds of society and becoming outcasted. Conformity is the key to society and if one can’t conform, they can’t be part of a