“Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut, is a short story about a dystopian universe in which everyone is equal through various handicaps. Vonnegut purposely makes this society equal on levels of intelligence, strength, and beauty. Other equality concerns, such as race, are avoided whether intentional or accidental. Vonnegut, throughout his story uses an array of imagery, details, and a particular type of syntax/language. He uses this not only when portraying his characters through their thoughts, actions and speech, but also to set the stage for the entire story. Vonnegut uses basic details when introducing Hazel, Harrison’s Mother and George's wife. Hazel is in fact a simple woman, to quote Vonnegut, “Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence,
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Harrison Bergeron as a character comes off as somewhat pretentious in the story when he speaks. Near the close end Harrison addresses the crowd previously watching ballerinas perform, he says “‘I am the Emperor!’” cried Harrison. “‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!’” (4) The language/syntax Vonnegut uses when having Harrison speak sets a condescending tone for Harrison. Harrison repeatedly refers to himself as ‘Emperor’, and even later says, “I am a greater ruler than any man who has ever lived!” (4) Harrison most definitely sees himself as an unstoppable and almighty figure near a Godly status due to his undeniable strength and intelligence. Vonnegut uses Harrison in a way to rebut his own theme in the story, a theme of everyone being equal to each other on levels of intelligence, beauty and strength. Harrison is used to show that not everyone is the same and never will be, there just simply are people that are better than others and far more fit for certain roles. Though it was his actions that had gotten him killed in the end, he proved a point, showing the consequences of what would happen if people were equal to one another on every aspect of
Harrison Bergeron as a character comes off as somewhat pretentious in the story when he speaks. Near the close end Harrison addresses the crowd previously watching ballerinas perform, he says “‘I am the Emperor!’” cried Harrison. “‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!’” (4) The language/syntax Vonnegut uses when having Harrison speak sets a condescending tone for Harrison. Harrison repeatedly refers to himself as ‘Emperor’, and even later says, “I am a greater ruler than any man who has ever lived!” (4) Harrison most definitely sees himself as an unstoppable and almighty figure near a Godly status due to his undeniable strength and intelligence. Vonnegut uses Harrison in a way to rebut his own theme in the story, a theme of everyone being equal to each other on levels of intelligence, beauty and strength. Harrison is used to show that not everyone is the same and never will be, there just simply are people that are better than others and far more fit for certain roles. Though it was his actions that had gotten him killed in the end, he proved a point, showing the consequences of what would happen if people were equal to one another on every aspect of