Summary: Harrison Bergeron

Francisca Oganya
Mrs. Pound
English II Pre-AP R2
7 October 2014
Bergeron is a threat in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
In Kurt Vonnegut Jr, story “Harrison Bergeron” everyone is programed to be equal. Rules are so meticulous, that is mandatory to follow the rules which all regard to an averagely equal life. In a dystopian society like that the protagonist, 14 year old Harrison Bergeron is a threat to his society. This is primarily a result of his natural superior characteristics that make him differ alarmingly from his fellow people in society.
The main charcater’s physical characteristics are above whatis permitted of his society. 14 year old Harrison. is the anomaly to the society’s belief that no one should be “stronger
or quicker than anybody else” (Vonnegut Jr.). The protagonist is above the average in society which makes him a different from the rest. The hero’s difference from society caused him to wear “heavier handicaps” ” (Vonnegut Jr.), that he quickly “outgrows” ” (Vonnegut Jr.). Even though they tried to control his physical capabilities, it did not work in a way that lasts. This is a threat has in a dystopian-like society that he lives in his strength is a bad characteristic. The boy’s handsomeness similar to “Thor’s” (Vonnegut Jr.), was also hidden by a requirement to wear “a red rubber ball for a nose, keep his eyebrows shaved off, and cover his even white teeth with black caps at snaggletooth random” (Vonnegut Jr.). The protagonist’s beauty is frowned upon as it’s above the average society making him having to wear outrageous mask for his beauty. Despite these outrageous handicaps and hindrances, the main character is still more talented than he should be. Sadly the teenage boy is burdened with an unusual amount of handicaps and regulations, because he is superior than the society allows.
Another superiority the protagonist possess is that of a highly intellectual mind.
The government has tried to make society a place where “nobody was smarter than anybody else” (Vonnegut Jr.), however Harrison at the age of 14 is already a genius (Vonnegut Jr.). The protagonist is a threat to society because he is clearly above the equality that the government is trying to enforce through the office of the Handicapper General. Meaning he has the potential to question, doubt, and seek changes that the government and brainwashed society is against. Additionally Harrison is dangerous as even though he had impairments of “spectacles” (Vonnegut Jr.), and “earphones” (Vonnegut Jr.), to slow him down, he “outgrown hindrances faster than the H-G men could think the up” (Vonnegut Jr.). Despite the outrageous amount of handicap they have developed for him, which gave the teenage boy physical ailments like headaches, he still noticeably smarter than others in society. Additionally, the government can’t find impairments that can hinder him for long, he is uncontrollable which leads to rebellion and an attempt to overthrow the government. Harrison’s proclamation stating that even though his state is “crippled, hobbled and sickened” he is still greater than everyone else, making him a threat to the equalized society and its rules. With declarations of his greatness, Harrison is rebelling against the government and society that try to hinder him and destroy his potential to be better. His
actions is that of youthful rebellion and defiance.
The handicaps imposed on the hero by the government have not proven successful enough to keep him under control, either mentally or physically.
As a result of those factors and more, the teenage boy rebels and tries to “overthrow the government” (Vonnegut Jr.), which causes him to be placed in jail that he soon “escaped from” (Vonnegut Jr.). The hero is dangerous to a society that celebrates the average-based society because he wants to change it. As long as he isn’t completely impaired by his handicaps, he is able to let his mind wonder. The flow of thoughts have caused the teenage boy to think that the current governments and rules placed on society are amiss. The protagonist than tries to fix society by a decision to rebel against the makers of these ridiculous amendments The self-proclaimed new “leader” (Vonnegut Jr.), challenges the government in is declaration saying “I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become” (Vonnegut Jr.). His one act of rebellion is attempt to overthrow his equal-loving society, by showing his brilliance through declaring himself greater than anyone else. However declaration is gives a feeling of teenage arrogance, in that the main character believes he should be leader because he believes he’s the best. Harrison “tore the straps of his handicap harness” (Vonnegut Jr.), removing restrictions that impaired his individuality and greatness. This is a rebellion against the government that holds him down
and tries to hinder his natural abilities. His tactics in trying to make that happen are rather outrageous, but he is bold and brave in wanting to break free of what is binding him. His act of rebellion in attempt to change his government is a threat to the society that wants to stay equally average.
In a society where everyone is forced to be mediocre, Harrison is a threat because of his ability to possibly change it due to his divergent characteristics and choices. As a result of his capabilities a fear is spread that the protagonist could change the course of society ideals and culture. Starting from his natural abilities to his acts of rebellion, the main character of “Harrison Bergeron” is a threat to his society.