Satire In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

Can true equality ever be achieved through strict governmental control? Can people abolish their foolish hatred of differences in race, economic status, colors, religions, or sexual orientation? Can utopia be attained if we put an end to all these hatreds? In the satire, “Harrison Bergeron”, Kurt Vonnegut expresses his theme of the dysfunctional government of utopia through his effective use of simile, irony, and symbolism. In the story, Harrison’s father George was exceptionally intelligent and so he was forced to wear an earpiece that would interrupts his thoughts every twenty seconds. When it goes off, his “thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm.” It shows his inability to concentrate and develop independent thoughts
on a subject. And it also helps the readers to realize how troublesome the handicap was because the story is also being interrupted every time the alarm buzzes. Vonnegut established irony when Hazel thinks that it was interesting to be hearing all types of noises but instead George is hearing twenty-one-gun salute. For example, in the beginning of the story, when he tries to think how the pretty ballerinas’ face were concealed in hideous masks to prevent people from becoming jealous, the sound of a bottle smashed with a hammer rings in his ear. This proves that the government restricts individuality to make everyone feels equal. Vonnegut describes Hazel Bergeron, a helpless, kind woman who is not considered as a threat to the government, because she possesses an “average” intelligence, look, and strength. Again, the author demonstrates another example of an irony when she fails to recall the death of her own son after seeing it live television. This shows that Vonnegut’s future equality has brought what considered “normal” intelligence to the point where everyone becomes oblivious of his/her society. Throughout the story, Vonnegut utilizes simile to describe Harrison’s appearance for example, “Scrap metal was hung all over him. Ordinarily, there was a certain symmetry, a military neatness to the handicaps issued to strong people, but Harrison looked like a walking junkyard.” In our society, people who are strong and good looking are viewed as idols, but in this “utopian” society they have to be handicapped for these reasons. In prison, the chains that used to tie him symbolize the fact that government is holding people back. In the story, people did not have the right to express their opinions nor talents. The government destroys an individual’s natural abilities by making them handicapped. After Harrison escaped prison, he took the ballerina’s hand and they “reeled, whirled, swiveled, flounced, capered, gamboled, and spun. They leaped like deer on the moon.” This example helps the reader to picture the moment of exhilaration when they throw off their handicaps. His dance with the ballerina also symbolizes the freedom from all government restraint. Although he is label as a genius, an athlete, and a threat to the society, yet he is still unable to overthrow the government. His rebellion lasts only a few minutes, when the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers, shot him down with her ten-gauge gun. It proves that the government still has more power over an individual, no matter how strong or determined they are. In conclusion, Vonnegut has successfully demonstrates that equality for all can only lead to more problems in the society. The readers also learn that the concept of utopia or a perfect society cannot easily be achieved by making everyone equals. By doing that, it would make people to become more ignorance and lack of passion, intelligence, and creative abilities.