Total Equality

‘‘THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way’’, these are the beginning lines in Kurt Vonnegut’s dystopian satire, Harrison Bergeron (1961). The setting of the story is in the United States in the year 2081. Students often read the story to explore its unique perception of equality and freedom. The story satirizes rebellion against the government, totalitarianism, the effects of the media (the television, in particular), and the idea that equality should be forced in people. A prominent theme in the story is that of equality. The equality that the poem describes is not that people say or think that they want. However, it is forced equality where ”[nobody] was smarter than anybody else…better looking than anybody else….stronger or quicker than anybody …’’ (Vonnegut, 1961). Much of the technology here, including the radio and television, was already there in 1961.

The government uses torture, fear of reprisal, and brainwashing to achieve total equality. Jolting sounds are used to interrupt the thoughts of intelligent people, and extra weight is used to burden the strong or graceful. The beautiful [ballerinas] have to put on hideous masks to conceal their beauty and endowment, while musicians put on a handicap to limit their abilities. In other words, people are expected to have or show equal capabilities and abilities. The most gifted are forced to conceal their abilities so as not to offend the less gifted or endowed. Job selection is satirical. The most unsuitable for specific roles or jobs are the ones who are hired. For instance, the newscaster has severe difficulty in starting his report and a significant speech impediment.

Consequently, he is forced to pass it on to a ballerina after giving it up, who also has to speak like a squawking bird so as not to make others feel bad despite her pleasant voice. In other words, the author postulates that total or absolute equality is a very dangerous ideal, contrary to popular opinion. Both the implementation and outcome of physical and mental inequality is a mistaken and dangerous goal. The American government tortures citizens to achieve total equality. Driven by the fear of punishment and drastic dumbing, the Americans transform into cowed, stupid, retrogressive, and lackluster people. Individual achievement, freedom, and extreme show of gifts are heavily punished and curtailed.

Reference

Vonnegut, K. (1961, October). Harrison Bergeron. Retrieved June 4, 2020, from Internet Archive: https://archive.org/stream/HarrisonBergeron/Harrison%20Bergeron_djvu.txt