Equality in the World
Kurt Vonnegut’s story, “Harrison Bergeron” brings out the reality of a world that is obsessed with equality to the extent of handicapped people with special abilities. Vonnegut brings out the dark side of the story by revealing that even the people with special abilities are human by using Harrison Bergeron. Hazel and George have some similarities from the way they handle their beliefs. Harrison Bergeron brings out a situation of change where the original meaning of being handicapped changes from a disadvantage to advantage with the handicapped enjoying the state.
George and Hazel are supportive of the idea of keeping people with special abilities handicapped. A world that does not have people with special abilities could be a boring place to live in. However, the presence of special talents brings competition to the world. However, the world appears divided on whether people should be allowed to live free lives or plans should be developed to keep individuals at equal levels. Hazel and George are among the people who feel that special abilities should be suppressed to keep people at equal levels. The gadgets developed by the government has suppressed the ability of George and Hazel to think clearly and the two appear determined to stay handicapped because an attempt to change the situation could take the world back to the ages of competition: “pretty soon we’d be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody competing against everybody else. You wouldn’t like that…” Vonnegut, (41). George and Hazel agree to the fact that taking away the handicap after work is not a wise idea and that the two should consider the interests of the whole world. The situation is so serious that Hazel does not know that Harrison is her son.
Special abilities happen in different directions. George and Hazel have different abilities, and their difference is used to keep them suppressed. First, George is extremely above average while Hazel is stupid. Hazel mistakes George’s condition for weakness, and therefore, Hazel believes that she is better than George. The belief works perfectly to keep the couple under control. The difference between the characters of Hazel and George is further revealed by the reaction to the happening in the television. Hazel is sad, but George does not appear concerned with the news of sadness broken to him by Hazel. Although the government has used the difference in characters to decide on handicapping, the situation reveals that the move to make people equal brings suffering to people with special abilities. Harrison ends up dead while George and Hazel fail to notice that Harrison was their son.
In sum, “Harrison Bergeron” gives a story of the obsession of the world with the desire to keep people equal. The government has developed mechanisms to keep people with special abilities handicapped to suppress them from taking advantage of their abilities against other people. George and Hazel have both similarities and differences which have been crucial in keeping the couple together. Generally, the obsession of the world with equality has always brought suffering to people with special abilities. Severe conditions have always caused death to people with special abilities who try to take advantage of their condition.
Work Cited
Vonnegut, Kurt. harrison Bergeron. Mercury Press, 1962.