Irony In Harrison Bergeron
Equality or Freedom A society of perfectly equal individuals may sound like a world worth living in to some. However, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut disproves this idea. In the story, the government attempts to create a population of completely equal beings. In order to create this society, those who are born smarter, stronger, or prettier are required to wear handicaps of some sort to compensate for their upperhand in life. Vonnegut uses multiple literary devices to portray the theme of this story. The irony, symbolism, and resolution utilized in “Harrison Bergeron” work together to prove that total equality is not attainable, nor is it worth striving to achieve. First off, it is ironic that the government attempts to establish a
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Harrison is the main character. He is extremely tall, strong, smart, and handsome. In the story, he symbolizes freedom and originality. He also symbolizes a citizen's choice to free himself or herself and live up to his or her potential. The story quotes, “‘Now, watch me become what I can become.’ Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds.” The metaphorical straps, guaranteed to hold down a person no matter their strength or determination, were no match for Harrison’s spiritual strength. He broke free from expectations and standards, proving it is possible to be for a person to live up to his or her full potential, even in a world where such behavior is considered unethical. On the other hand, Diana Moon Clampers, along with the rest of the Handicapper Generals, symbolizes the government. She symbolizes a government’s ability to control a society or group of people. The Handicapper Generals are tasked with handicapping the public however they see fit. They arguably take this task too far by not even allowing citizens to think for more than about thirty seconds at a time. By making them do this, Vonnegut shows that if complete equality is strived for, government control may get out of hand, limiting citizens’ individuality and
Harrison is the main character. He is extremely tall, strong, smart, and handsome. In the story, he symbolizes freedom and originality. He also symbolizes a citizen's choice to free himself or herself and live up to his or her potential. The story quotes, “‘Now, watch me become what I can become.’ Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds.” The metaphorical straps, guaranteed to hold down a person no matter their strength or determination, were no match for Harrison’s spiritual strength. He broke free from expectations and standards, proving it is possible to be for a person to live up to his or her full potential, even in a world where such behavior is considered unethical. On the other hand, Diana Moon Clampers, along with the rest of the Handicapper Generals, symbolizes the government. She symbolizes a government’s ability to control a society or group of people. The Handicapper Generals are tasked with handicapping the public however they see fit. They arguably take this task too far by not even allowing citizens to think for more than about thirty seconds at a time. By making them do this, Vonnegut shows that if complete equality is strived for, government control may get out of hand, limiting citizens’ individuality and