Interesting Literature

A Summary and Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut’s ‘Harrison Bergeron’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Harrison Bergeron’ is a 1961 short story by the American writer Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007). The story can be categorised as ‘dystopian satire’ or a ‘satirical dystopian story’, but we’ll say more about these labels in a moment. The action of the story takes place in the future America of 2081, where everyone has been made truly equal, physically, mentally, and aesthetically.

Plot summary

The story is set in the United States in 2081. True equality has finally been achieved: nobody is allowed to be stronger, more beautiful, or more intelligent than anyone else, so people who are deemed to have an unfair advantage are forced by law to use ‘handicaps’ which limit their powers or talents. A Handicapper General, named Diana Moon Glampers, is in charge of ensuring everyone obeys the law and wears their assigned handicaps at all times.

The story focuses on a couple, George and Hazel Bergeron, whose fourteen-year-old son Harrison is taken away so that he can be ‘handicapped’ because he is abnormally strong and intelligent. George is of above-average intelligence so is forced to wear earpieces which transmit distracting noises every twenty seconds, so that he cannot concentrate or, or think about things, for too long and thus use his intellect to his advantage.

George also carries forty-seven pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag, hung around his neck, to reduce his natural athleticism. When his wife suggests opening a hole in the bottom of the bag and removing some of the lead balls, because she can see how worn-out he is, he reminds her that such a crime carries a prison sentence and a fine.

George and Hazel watch ballerinas dancing on television, but George is unimpressed by them, since they aren’t very good: no more than average, at least, because they are not allowed to be supremely gifted at ballet. The naturally attractive dancers, like other beautiful people in society, are forced to wear masks which make them look less attractive.

The ballet show is interrupted by a live news broadcast, which reveals that their son, Harrison Bergeron, has escaped from jail, where he had been held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. Harrison enters the studios where the ballerinas are dancing, and tears off the handicaps he has been made to wear, which include a red rubber ball for a nose (like a clown) to make him look less handsome, and a large pair of headphones rather than the small radio his father is made to wear.

Harrison then announces that he will become emperor of the world, and asks for a woman to claim her prize as his empress. One of the beautiful ballerinas steps forward, and he removes her mask and frees her of her handicaps. He does the same to the other dancers and the musicians, and orders them to play good music.

Harrison and the dancer then ascend to the ceiling, floating above the ground, and exchange a long kiss. At that moment, Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, arrives and shoots them both dead, before ordering the dancers and musicians to put their handicaps back on.

George, who was in the kitchen getting himself a beer, misses the killing of his own son live on television, while Hazel, owing to her low intelligence, almost immediately forgets what she has seen.

This story is satirical, but what precisely is Vonnegut satirising in ‘Harrison Bergeron’? Is he taking aim at the idea of state-mandated equity, which forces everyone to be mediocre, in order to show the absurdity of such a notion? Or is he, in fact, satirising those who would oppose attempts to level the playing field for everyone?

This latter interpretation is not as unlikely as it may first appear. The first thing to establish is that Kurt Vonnegut was aware of the dangers of government overreach, and the future society depicted in ‘Harrison Bergeron’ is clearly one in which the state has too much power over the individual. They can force people to carry bags of bullets around their necks to disadvantage them physically, and even prevent them from thinking too much. People are fed a diet of mediocre television to keep them docile and compliant.

This aspect of ‘Harrison Bergeron’ reads almost like a more extreme version of Ray Bradbury’s dystopias of the 1950s: not just Fahrenheit 451 , in which books are banned because the government wants to keep everyone stupid and passive, but Bradbury’s short story ‘ The Pedestrian ’, in which the police threaten to arrest a lone man walking the streets of an evening because he isn’t sitting in front of the television, consuming a diet of cultural dross, like everyone else.

But the other key theme in Vonnegut’s story, besides government overreach and the state’s attempts to keep everyone intellectually lazy, is the one for which it is perhaps best known: egalitarianism, or the struggle for equality between all people. And on this issue, ‘Harrison Bergeron’ strikes a more ambivalent note.

On the one hand, the idea of state-mandated weights, radios, and masks to render supremely strong, clever, or beautiful people as weak, stupid, and ugly as the rest of the population strikes us as preposterously evil. Rather than pushing for a race to the bottom, a responsible and progressive government would seek to encourage weak citizens to pick up weights and build up their muscles, educate less intelligent members of society, and devise surgical techniques (such as plastic surgery) to make ugly people more attractive.

In one respect, then, Vonnegut’s story reads as a bedfellow of those satires which view communism or socialism as a way of making everyone equally miserable and poor, rather than trying to make everyone equally successful and financially comfortable.

Such an analysis is certainly defensible when we turn to the story and witness the ways in which, for instance, George Bergeron is effectively punished for his natural intellect by being bombarded with state-sanctioned noises on a regular basis: a peculiar kind of torture. The idea that one’s fourteen-year-old son could be taken away simply for being unusually strong and intelligent is abominable.

And yet Vonnegut doesn’t actually tell us why Harrison is taken away initially. We are just told that he has been taken away: nothing more. The news broadcast announces that he has been imprisoned for trying to overthrow the government.

Given George and Hazel’s short memories, and the fact that the story is focalised through them, we don’t learn, despite the story having a supposedly ‘omniscient’ third-person narrator, whether Harrison was simply taken away for being different or arrested because he had already presented a threat to the state by plotting a coup.

After all, George and Hazel have been allowed, following the application of their handicaps, to live ‘freely’ (at least relatively so) in their own home. Why was Harrison taken away? Because he was not just a little bit more intelligent than the average person, but vastly more ingenious than everyone else, so that all existing handicaps were useless on him? Or because he is already plotting something? The story refuses to tell us this.

Similarly, although the shooting of Harrison and his new girlfriend at the end of the story is shocking, Harrison’s lust for power – seeking to use his natural height, strength, and intellect to become ruler of the whole world – also strikes us as a nightmare prospect, so that the shock of his death is likely to be tempered with some degree of relief.

‘Harrison Bergeron’, in the last analysis, is a story which invites us to consider the lengths we are prepared to go to as a society in order to achieve equality. Clearly there are some things, like dancing or athletics or even thinking, which some people are more naturally gifted at than others. Do we want to punish them for their natural talent, or appreciate the things their gifts allow them to do? Just because we will never be an Olympic athlete, do we think it unfair that others get the chance to win a gold medal?

Most reasonable people would answer ‘no’ to this question. People are different, with different talents and skills. An ugly person might be extremely clever. A clever person might be a physical weakling. A body-builder might be thicker than a whale omelette. And Vonnegut’s point in ‘Harrison Bergeron’ appears to be twofold: first, that failing to accept that people are different from us is bad, and second, that government overreach is also bad.

And it is worth remembering that in 1961, when the story was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction , America was still struggling towards the legislation which would recognise that all citizens were in fact equal before the law. The Civil Rights movement would, throughout the 1960s, see African-Americans asserting their equality as racial segregation was gradually written out of state laws.

What this means is that ‘Harrison Bergeron’ is both a satire on the absurd attempts to make everyone the same and to disregard the important differences between us, and a story which rejects the human impulse to use one’s innate sense of superiority (whether real or merely assumed) in order to gain power over other people.

In this regard, Diane Moon Glampers is the villain of the story for seeking to impose equity on everyone using totalitarian force, but Harrison Bergeron himself is also a warning about what may happen if individuals are allowed to use their innate privileges for evil or depraved ends.

At the same time as it is a warning against enforced equity (i.e., everyone will be as mediocre as everyone else), the story also carries the seeds of an opposing message, namely that those who seek to enforce difference and to use their innate differences from others to attain power and privilege are also to be rejected and opposed.

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron

Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on May 25, 2021

Kurt Vonnegut is celebrated more for his longer fiction than for his short stories. Nonetheless, Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron,” originally published in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science in October 1961, and currently available in the author’s collection, Welcome to the Monkey House , is a very popular short story and is often cited as an example of dystopian science fiction with an emphasis on egalitarianism. One segment of the 1972 teleplay Between Time and Timbuktu was based on the story, and it was later adapted into a TV movie, Harrison Bergeron (1995), with Sean Astin in the title role.

Set in 2081, the story depicts society’s vain search for absolute equality. Specifically, this new world does not attempt to raise standards for the disabled or handicapped but rather chooses to implement a more onerous solution: to impede those who have superior intellect, beauty, or strength. This solution deprives individuals of their talents by employing masks, loud noises, and weights in an attempt to level the playing field for the less talented. Actually the government is attempting to place all members of society at the level of the lowest common denominator, a process that is overseen by the United States Handicapper General, the shotgun-toting Diana Moon Glampers, whose primary goal is to rid society of anyone who might threaten mediocrity and inadequacy. A similar (though less developed) version of this character and idea appeared in Vonnegut’s earlier novel, The Sirens of Titan.

In this brave new world, the exceptional are consistently repressed, arrested, thrown into mental institutions, and ultimately killed for failing to be average. The central and title character, Harrison Bergeron, is, of course, a threat to this community since he is physically fit, handsome, intellectual, and, what is worse, rebellious. As a result, he is forced to bear enormous handicaps. These include distracting noises, 300- pounds of excess weight, eyeglasses to give him headaches, and cosmetic changes to make him ugly. Despite these handicaps, however, he is able to invade a TV station and declare himself the new emperor. He then strips himself of his handicaps and begins to dance with a ballerina whose amazing beauty and skills have also been distorted by the authoritarian government in an attempt to restrict her advancement and recognition as a superior individual. As the couple dance in defiance of the “rules,” the two defy gravity as they “kiss” the ceiling and assert their artistic independence as well as their refusal to be controlled by an outside authority. The story ends abruptly with two shotgun blasts, suggesting to the reader that there is no forgiveness for those who defy society’s demand for conformity to the ordinary. Added poignancy is created by the framing story, in which Bergeron’s parents are watching TV and observe their son’s demise but cannot concentrate enough to remember the incident or assess its importance. Vonnegut’s point seems to be that without the nonconformists, the dreamers, and the different, society is doomed. The good intention of equality is marred by the way society decides to maintain it. To be fair to one group, it must necessarily be unfair to another. Yet if the brilliant and talented are hindered, society will be unable to improve, and the status quo will be all it can hope for.

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Kurt Vonnegut/The New York Times

Vonnegut’s more pessimistic view of life may be termed absurdist. In this future society, growth and experimentation are no longer fostered, and science and technologies are devised to hurt rather than to help humankind. The complacency of Harrison’s parents who witness his murder and yet cannot remember why they are so sad indicates they both have submitted to a world where rebellion is not tolerated and where sameness is fostered and encouraged.

While many critics have considered Vonnegut’s story as an attack on the attempt to level all individuals, what Vonnegut is really assailing is the public’s understanding of what that leveling entails. Critics like Roy Townsend and Stanley Shatt seem to have missed the underlying irony of “Bergeron,” as well as its unreliable narrator, preferring to stress the obvious and ignore the fact that the story line offers an assessment of the foolishness that is “common sense.” Common sense is shown to be ridiculous in its assumptions about equality and in its belief that a sense of morality and ethics is intuitive. Moreover, since Vonnegut’s politics were Leftist in nature, it is unlikely that he would attack the concepts of communism and socialism.

In fact, it is Harrison himself who embodies the past oppression of a dominant culture, and readers should remember his desire is to be emperor, to reassert his superiority and the power it entitles him to wield. Instead Vonnegut seems to satirize society’s limited view of egalitarianism as only intelligence, looks, and athleticism. He never addresses income distribution (the separation between rich and poor) or class prejudice (the difference between the powerful and the powerless) even though both are signifcant issues for America. The mediocrity Vonnegut decries is not a result of the future but a continuation of past practices, an antiintellectualism that is depicted in Harrison’s parents, Hazel and George, whose ideas seem to be shaped by what they see on TV and little else. Controlled by a corrupt value system that says to ignore sad things and be satisfied with normality, it is their world that is condemned more than the world of Diana Moon Glampers. They have facilitated her rise to power with all the coldness and sterility that one might associate with the lunar goddess. Freedom is not the greatest good for the smallest number; nor does it hold that a classruled society will promulgate economic success. Though the story’s message appears quite simple, its moral is rather complex, forcing individual readers to think twice before they reduce its meaning to a sentence or two. Vonnegut was clearly not just trying to side with the radical Right’s objections to big government, and “Harrison Bergeron” is definite evidence of how his convoluted texts beg for more contemplation than they have been previously given

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Harrison Bergeron

Kurt vonnegut, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Equality vs. Individualism Theme Icon

Equality vs. Individualism

In the futuristic world of “Harrison Bergeron,” the government applies physical and mental handicaps to individuals with above-average strength and intelligence in order to guarantee that all people in society are equal. While equality is often regarded as a positive condition of democratic society, Vonnegut’s dystopian portrayal of an absolutely equal society reveals how equality must be balanced with freedom and individualism in order for society to thrive.

Although in the story all people are…

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Media and Ideology

In “Harrison Bergeron,” the totalitarian state regulates the minds and bodies of its citizens to ensure statewide equality. In addition to distributing handicap devices to lower the physical and/or mental strength of above-average citizens, the government maintains equality among citizens through ideologically-charged media that encourages citizens to consent to the invasive practices of the US Handicapper General . By showing propaganda as an equally powerful and invasive force as grotesque physical devices, Vonnegut suggests that…

Media and Ideology Theme Icon

Dissent vs. Authority

For the brief moments when Harrison proclaims himself Emperor, destroys his state-issued handicaps , and dances beautifully on state TV, the government’s power is lost. Although the moment is short-lived (a government agent shoots Harrison dead while he’s dancing), his dissent nonetheless shows that individuals might still have power under totalitarianism. Harrison’s exceptional existence proves that equality isn’t absolute (or else he wouldn’t have been able to achieve such an extraordinary feat), and therefore that…

Dissent vs. Authority Theme Icon

The Power of the Arts

Though state media insists that Harrison has plans to overthrow the government, his act of rebellion is not a traditional coup: he dances beautifully on national TV with a ballerina whom he has liberated from her handicaps , to music from an orchestra he has also un-handicapped. In other words, Harrison’s dissent is an artistic performance unencumbered by forced equality, which suggests that artists can disrupt state authority through the power of performance.

Before Harrison…

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Harrison Bergeron Introduction

Dystopian societies are no fun. The clothes are drab. The TV shows are all reruns. And that whole having-no-rights thing is a real pain in the neck.

Utopias are where it's at. So, how about a place where everyone is equal? A place where no one is better than everyone else, and everyone has the same opportunities for fun, happiness, and success? Our bags are packed, and we want to go to there . We'll send you a postcard.

Well, not so fast. In "Harrison Bergeron" Kurt Vonnegut wonders if equality is all it's cracked up to be. The basic idea is this: It's the year 2081 and everyone is equal. Great! But what happens when one person tries to rise above the rest? Let's just say, it's not pretty.

"Harrison Bergeron" was first published in Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine  in 1961, with Civil Rights in full swing  and the radical '60s just beginning. Issues of equality and fairness were on a lot of people's minds, and this story struck a nerve. It's been hailed as both "a prime example of where the ills of socialism could lead"—but also, weirdly, "not a satire on leftist policies, but, more accurately, a satire on the irrational fears of socialism" ( source ).

In other words, it's either an attack on socialism, or a satire of attacks on socialism. So, which is it?

Socialism is a system of government in which the government controls a nation's means of production in order to create a society without huge inequalities. Some people love it. Plenty of people hate it. You've probably heard it tossed around in various election cycles—and not always accurately.

Want a real-world example? In the U.S. 2008 and 2012 election cycles, people were all agitated about the role of the government in health insurance. Many believed that the government had a crucial role to play in ensuring that everyone was on a level playing field when it came to fair and affordable access to health insurance and health care. Many others thought that the Affordable Care Act was a slippery step towards socialism, in which individuals' health care decisions would be made by large governmental organizations.

What would Vonnegut think? Well, we can't say for sure. However you slice it, this is complicated stuff when both sides of the political fence claim that "Harrison Bergeron" supports their side of the issue. You'll have to read it and decide for yourself.

Having trouble tracking down a sci-fi mag from the '60s? Don't worry. "Harrison Bergeron" is widely available in Vonnegut's short-story collection Welcome To the Monkey House . It's worth the investment, as we're sure you'll be craving even more Vonnegut after reading "Harrison." In fact, it's barely eight pages long. Why aren't you reading it right now? You'll be talking about it for much, much longer than the time it takes to read.

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What is Harrison Bergeron About and Why Should I Care?

It's time to face a cold, hard fact: somewhere in the world there is somebody who is better than you. In fact, there's probably someone in your school better than you. Okay, maybe not in everything , but definitely in something you really care about: football, video games, calculus, fashion, scrapbooking.

Totally frustrating, right? You try your best, but someone is still better. If only they weren't so awesome—then you'd be number one!

We've all had these kinds of selfish thoughts. If Perfect McSuperface wasn't around, we could be football captain, head of the debate team, or leader of the decoupage squad. The only real solution we can offer is work harder and stop measuring yourself against other people.

But what if the law was to make everyone else worse? To bring everyone down to the same level? We'd all be on an equal playing field. Dancers would all be clumsy; singers would all be tone deaf; math whizzes would all be... well, not math whizzes. That's the kind of world "Harrison Bergeron" imagines, and it's not a pretty one.

On second thought, we're happy being understudy in the school play.

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Harrison Bergeron Lesson Plans, Activities, Summary, Analysis, and More

Teaching guide for “harrison bergeron” by kurt vonnegut, ela common core standards covered.

Teaching “Harrison Bergeron” covers the following ELA common core standards for reading and writing.

  • RL.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

After you check out these awesome lessons for “Harrison Bergeron,” be sure to check out the complete short story lesson plans catalog .

“Harrison Bergeron” Summary

The year is 2081, and everybody was finally equal…in every which way, thanks to the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. George and Hazel are watching TV, unable to think about their son Harrison being taken away, Hazel because she’s stupid and George because he has a transmitter in his ear that plays loud noises to disrupt his thinking.

Masked ballerinas stumble on stage, weights strapped around their neck, and announcers with speech impediments broadcast the news. A picture of Harrison Bergeron appears on the screen. He has escaped from prison. Moments later Harrison breaks into the studio, claims himself emperor and anoints the first ballerina to step forward queen. The two perform a graceful dance, followed by the entrance of Diana Moon Glampers, Handicapper General of the United States government, who shoots and kills Harrison and his queen.

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  • all the great stuff you see here
  • assignments with answer keys
  • graphic organizers
  • grading rubric
  • “Harrison Bergeron” multiple choice quiz

Teaching “Harrison Bergeron” has never been easier with these interactive activities. I’ve also included a “Harrison Bergeron” summary and analysis for your convenience.

Just download and print this pdf . Stick the lesson plans in your lesson plan binder to impress your administrators. Copy the student friendly handouts and watch your students rise above societal handicaps.

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“Harrison Bergeron” Analysis

A “Harrison Bergeron” analysis produces the following topics of discussion.

  • “Equal is not always fair in ‘Harrison Bergeron'” : The Declaration of Independence states “all men are created equal.” Some, including the government in “Harrison Bergeron,” misunderstand the meaning of equality, thinking it guarantees equal results as opposed to equal opportunity under the law and in the eyes of God.
  • The Dangers of Big Government : “Harrison Bergeron” explore the dangers of giving government too much authority.
  • Irony : The irony is obvious–dancers who can’t dance, announcers who can’t speak, smart people who can’t think. Everyone has an articificial handicap, except for the Handicapper General who enforces the laws.
  • Satire : Vonnegut pokes fun at government policies that punish the gifted and successful, redistribute resources, and encroach upon civil liberties. The tone is satirical; the theme is serious.
  • The United States Constitution – Even the U.S. Constitution, a document created to limit government, has been turned into an instrument of oppression by Diana Moon Glampers and her ilk by adding 186 amendments to it.

“Harrison Bergeron” Lesson Ideas

  • Kurt Vonnegut is one of America’s great humorists. Use this analyzing humor lesson plan to help students recognize his talents.
  • Read the Declaration of Independence. Discuss the phrase “all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” What did Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers mean? Why does Martin Luther King allude to it so often in his “I Have a Dream” speech?  How have modern politicians warped the expression? Can an equality of results be obtained? Has equality under the law been obtained?
  • Read the United States Constitution Bill of Rights. Discuss which rights have been abused in “Harrison Bergeron.” Feel free to partner up with the U.S. History or government teacher and try this Bill of Rights lesson plan .
  • “Harrison Bergeron” makes a great companion piece of literature to Brave New World, 1984, or Fahrenheit 451 .
  • 2081 .  This is an outstanding movie.  It’s about 1/2 hour long.  Rent it from Amazon and stream it.

Here’s the movie trailer.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Books — Harrison Bergeron

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Essays on Harrison Bergeron

When it comes to writing an essay on the famous short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, it's essential to choose a compelling topic. The story touches on themes of equality, freedom, and the dangers of government control, making it ripe for analysis and discussion. In this guide, we'll explore the importance of selecting the right topic and provide a comprehensive list of recommended essay topics to help you get started.

The topic of your essay plays a crucial role in determining the direction and focus of your writing. A well-chosen topic can make your essay more engaging and thought-provoking, while a poorly selected one may lead to a lackluster and uninteresting piece. When it comes to "Harrison Bergeron," the story's complex themes and thought-provoking narrative provide a wealth of material to explore, making the choice of topic even more critical.

When selecting a topic for your "Harrison Bergeron" essay, consider the themes, characters, and symbolism present in the story. Think about what aspects of the narrative resonate with you and what issues you find most compelling. Additionally, consider the audience for your essay and what topics may be most relevant and engaging for them. Once you have a clear understanding of the story and its themes, you can begin to brainstorm potential essay topics.

The Best Harrison Bergeron Essay Topics Themes

  • The concept of equality in "Harrison Bergeron"
  • The dangers of government control and oppression
  • The pursuit of individual freedom in a regulated society
  • The impact of technology on societal norms and values
  • The consequences of suppressing natural abilities and talents
  • The role of Harrison Bergeron as a symbol of rebellion
  • The portrayal of George and Hazel Bergeron as the average citizens
  • The significance of Diana Moon Glampers as the enforcer of equality
  • The influence of the Handicapper General on society

Symbols and Imagery

  • The use of handicaps as a symbol of societal control
  • The significance of the television as a tool for propaganda and normalization
  • The portrayal of music and dance as expressions of freedom and individuality
  • The bird as a symbol of unrestrained beauty and grace

Comparative Analysis

  • Comparing "Harrison Bergeron" to other dystopian literature
  • Exploring the similarities and differences between the story and real-world examples of government control
  • Examining the themes of equality and freedom in "Harrison Bergeron" and other works of literature

Critical Analysis

  • Analyzing the effectiveness of Vonnegut's portrayal of a dystopian society
  • Examining the use of satire and irony in the story
  • Exploring the implications of the story's ending and its message to the reader

With these recommended essay topics, you have a wide range of options to explore when writing about "Harrison Bergeron." Whether you're interested in delving into the story's themes, analyzing its characters, or comparing it to other works of literature, there's a topic that's sure to pique your interest and spark engaging discussions.

Use of Satire in Harrison Bergeron

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Analysis of The Equality Theme in "Harrison Bergeron"

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The Theme of Equality in 'Harrison Bergeron' by Kurt Vonnegut

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False Happiness and Equality in 'Harrison Bergeron'

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Kurt Vonnegut

Dystopia, science fiction, political fiction

Harrison Bergeron, George Bergeron, Hazel Bergeron, The Ballerina, Diana Moon Glampers

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Harrison Bergeron

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1. The society in “Harrison Bergeron” is under State Control through the use of elaborate “handicaps.”

  • How do George’s handicaps (earpiece, weighted bag) affect his thoughts throughout the story? ( topic sentence )
  • Explain how George’s handicaps affect his relationship with Hazel and Harrison OR how his handicaps affect his thoughts about State Control and/or Political Inaction .
  • In your concluding sentence or sentences, take a stance on the effectiveness of State Control through handicaps in the world of “Harrison Bergeron.”

2. “Harrison Bergeron” is a political satire.

  • Select one theme— State Control , Arbitrary Justice , or Political Inaction —and state how the satirical elements work to communicate this theme. ( topic sentence )

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68 Harrison Bergeron Essay Topics & Examples

🏆 best harrison bergeron essay topics & examples, 🎓 simple & easy topics in harrison bergeron, 📌 most interesting topics in harrison bergeron, ❓ harrison bergeron essay questions.

  • Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron In the context of the time when no one is eager to struggle with blatant violation of a right to be someone, not a philosophical zombie, the protagonist is an expression of freedom of choice.
  • Harrison Bergeron Theme In summary, the loss of freedom and civil rights would lead to America’s dystopia are the main messages of Harrison Bergeron. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • An Analysis “Harrison Bergeron” Despite the fact that the author tries to portray an equal society, it is discriminatory since it ensures equality through suppression of citizens’ rights, while the current American society espouses the equality of opportunity.”Harrison Bergeron” […]
  • The “Harrison Bergeron” Short Story by Kurt Vonnegut The equality, mindset, and physicality of a totalitarian regime are the main topics being stated in the very beginning by the phrase, “Nobody was smarter than anybody else.
  • “Harrison Bergeron” and Real Life In a world where people are held back because of their talents, and their intelligence is marred by the social rules of all people being the same, Harrison refuses to succumb to the pressure and […]
  • “Harrison Bergeron” a Short Story by Vonnegut Absolute equality is not an objective worth pursuing, as many people think, according to Vonnegut’s argument in “Harrison Bergeron,” but rather a misguided one that is destructive in both the process and the results.
  • “Harrison Bergeron” a Short Story by Kurt Vonnegut He argues that egalitarianism calls for the suppression of the bright and hardworking in order for them to be equal with the rest; that it assigns much importance to peaceful living at the expense of […]
  • Harrison Bergeron and Malcolm X as Revolutionaries Harrison was the man who was not afraid to stand up to the existing social order and makes some steps to achieve his major goal, which was to make all people free from burdens that […]
  • Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Literature Analysis The author manages to make people think of the essence of equality and possible hazards associated with the society of equals.
  • An Analysis of the Theme of Human Psychology in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • Theme Analysis of Short Stories “The Lottery” and “Harrison Bergeron” by Jackson and Vonnegut
  • The Concept of Dystopia in “Harrison Bergeron,” “The Giver,” and “Uglies”
  • Equality’s Dark Side in “The Unknown Citizen” and “Harrison Bergeron”
  • The Sheepish Nature of Humans and the Absolute Power of the Government in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • “Harrison Bergeron”: Compare the Epic War or Socialism vs. Capitalism
  • The Power of Equality in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
  • An Analysis of the Importance of Individuality in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • The Fight for Equality in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • Repressive Society in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • The Idea and Desire to Change in the Characters of Harrison and Elisa in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” and John Steinbeck’s “Chrysanthemums”
  • Mistreatment and Endangerment in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • Surveillance in Foucault’s Panopticism and Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
  • The Differences and Similarities of the Book “Divergent” and “Harrison Bergeron”
  • An Illustration of a Society in Which Everyone Is Mentally, Physically and Socially Equal in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • An Analysis of Equality of Individualism in “The Very Old Man Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Marquez and “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • The Use of Satire in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • Using Irony to Emphasize Human Nature in Stephen King’s “Popsy” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
  • The Political Messages Behind “Harrison Bergeron”
  • A Comparison of the Cases of Equilibrium and “Harrison Bergeron”
  • “Harrison Bergeron” and the Weighted Burden of Marxist Utopia
  • The Issue of Conformity in Sylvia Plath’s “Initiation,” Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron,” and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”
  • Utopia and Dystopia in “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Lottery”
  • The Tragedy of Forced Equality in “Harrison Bergeron”
  • The Portrayal of a Wold Run by a Powerful Government in Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”
  • The Theme of Social Equality in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • The Dangers of Blindly Following Authority in “Harrison Bergeron,” “The Lottery,” and the Case of the West Memphis Three
  • Uniformity and Deformity in “Harrison Bergeron”
  • Social Independence and Prejudice in “Harrison Bergeron” and “V for Vendetta”
  • Effects of Equality in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
  • What Is the Central Message of “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Is the “Harrison Bergeron” Story About?
  • How Does the Government Enforce Handicaps in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • Why Is “Harrison Bergeron” Such a Threat to Society?
  • What Is the Author’s Central Attitude Towards the Society He Describes in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Is the Irony in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • Is Everyone Truly Equal in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Happens to Harrison at the End of the Story in “Harrison Bergeron” and Why?
  • What Is the Central Conflict in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • How Would “Harrison Bergeron” Define Equality?
  • What Do the Ballerinas Represent in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • How Does “Harrison Bergeron” His Handicaps?
  • Why Was Harrison Thrown in Jail Before the Story Began in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Is Satirized in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • Why Was “Harrison Bergeron” in Jail?
  • What Does the Ending of “Harrison Bergeron” Mean?
  • What Are Some Examples of Euphemism in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • How Is “Harrison Bergeron” a Dystopia?
  • How Long Was “Harrison Bergeron” in Jail?
  • What Happened to “Harrison Bergeron” and His Empress at the End of the Story?
  • Who Killed Harrison Bergeron?
  • Why Is Harrison Bergeron a Hero?
  • Why Does the Ballerina in “Harrison Bergeron” Have to Wear a Mask?
  • What Does Harrison Represent in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • Is Harrison Bergeron an Antihero?
  • How Is Harrison Bergeron Brave?
  • What Is Ironic About the Handicapper General in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • Why Was Hazel Crying in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Do George and Hazel Symbolize in “Harrison Bergeron”?
  • What Is the Meaning of the Last Words of the Bergerons That Was a Doozy in “Harrison Bergeron”?
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Harrison Bergeron - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Harrison Bergeron is a satirical dystopian short story by Kurt Vonnegut that explores themes of equality, government control, and the suppression of individual excellence. Essays on this topic might delve into the analysis of its themes, Vonnegut’s satirical style, or the societal critiques embedded within the narrative. Comparing this work to other dystopian literature or analyzing its relevance to contemporary discussions on equality and individualism can offer a rich literary and sociopolitical exploration. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Harrison Bergeron you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Equality in Harrison Bergeron

“Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut takes place in year 2081. In this future, the government has supposedly made everyone “equal.” The author suggests that total equality is not an ideal worth striving for, as many people believe, but it is a mistaken goal that is dangerous in both execution as well as outcome. To obtain physical and mental equality among all Americans, the government in Vonnegut’s story tortures its citizens. They will gradually lose their individuality by being forced to […]

Harrison Bergeron Analysis

I decided to write my analysis on the story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., and what he talks about is the future. This short essay is one of the best that Kurt Vonnegut Jr wrote because of the interesting things he put into this essay. It has horrifying situations that become humorous by an interesting narrator. As I read this short story, I figured out how this little boy lived his life being handicapped. Harrison Bergeron Critical Analysis In […]

The “Average Man” and Survival Issue

Survival has always necessitated the existence of communities for human beings. Over countless generations, people have evolved to be good at conforming into the societies they live in, since those who couldn’t were often the first to die. There’s safety in numbers, but to belong to a group and be protected there is always a need to sacrifice some of one’s preferences and desires. H.L. Mencken, a social critic during the 20th century, argues human beings take the need to […]

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Satire in Harrison Bergeron

"Harrison Bergeron" was initially distributed in 1961, by Kurt Vonnegut. "Harrison Bergeron" was composed as a type of parody, to deride people sees that everyone ought to be equivalent in all angles. ( Harrison Bergeron Satire) What is Harrison Bergeron Satirizing? This story happens in 2081, in a general public where everybody is as far as anyone knows break even with using handicaps that limit an individual's capacities. No one is more astute, more grounded, or preferred in any capacity […]

Central Theme in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

In “Harrison Bergeron,” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., the author tells a story about the government forcing equality on citizens by the use of handicaps; in doing so they hold everyone back from their fullest potential. In the story, the central theme is equality; as Harrison is shown as a symbol for individuality, the tone shift expressing the dysfunctional government, and how the short story is an allusion of a perfect society. Harrison is a symbol who represents the spark of […]

The Analysis of Harrison Burgeron

Taking a step forward into the future; the year is 2081, and everyone is legally obligated to be equal and have true equality. When reading into the mind baby of Kurt Vonnegut titled, “Harrison Burgeron,” it puts the reader in a pseudo-utopian, more dystopian United States of America in the year of 2081. The government has passed the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments, and this entitles equality for everyone, no one was smarter, stronger, or better looking than anyone. While […]

Analysis of “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

"Harrison Bergeron" was originally published in 1961, by Kurt Vonnegut. “Harrison Bergeron” was written as a form of satire, to mock individuals views that everybody should be equal in all aspects. ( Harrison Bergeron Satire) This story takes place in 2081, in a society where everyone is supposedly equal through the use of handicaps that limit a person’s abilities. Nobody is smarter, stronger, or better in any way than anyone else. ( Vonnegut) George and Hazel’s son, Harrison, has been […]

Symbolism in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

Throughout history equality has been a goal for the world. But, have we ever stopped to think what true and complete equality would bring? In the short story, "Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, he explores the idea of total fairness. This tale explains why equality is not something we should strive for and the dangers that this will cause in the future. In this essay we will see that Diana Moon Glampers is a symbol of extreme and full fairness […]

Capital Punishment: Solving Murder with Murder

In the year of 2018, 2,738 people were killed by the death penalty marked by July 1st. Majority of the executions since 1976 have been primarily white defendants with a number of 55.7% amongst another race. In our country the death penalty was set in motion by 30 states by October 11th, 2018; having Texas leading with a total of 560 executions by 2019. In a world where we completely ban murder from even happening in the first place, we […]

Essay about Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron

"Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron is a satirical short story that deals with the themes of equality, media, and government control. It is a short, yet powerful piece that approaches the popular topics from an unpopular perspective and ultimately makes an unforgettable impression on the reader with its hidden warning. The themes explored by the author in this short story are equality as well as political and media control and manipulation. The ultimate message of the short story is that the […]

Harrison Bergeron: the Rebellion for Freedom

Beauty masked. The strong are forced to pretend to be weak. The brightest minds forced to average intelligence. Equality in all people with all abilities is only possible with complete control and a lack of freedom to be different. Kurt Vonnegut’s dystopian, science fiction, “Harrison Bergeron” was published in October of 1961. The story takes place in a futuristic America that is plagued with the obsession of everyone being equal. People who are graced with bright minds, beautiful faces, or […]

“Harrison Bergeron” Creates a Society

“In “Harrison Bergeron,” he creates a society, seemingly American, whose government has gone awry in its attempts to make everyone equal”(Carl Mowery). This story is a utopian story, which means everything is perfect and everything is the same. People couldn’t look better than others and were not allowed to be better at anything than others. Handicaps are given out so no individual is seen greater than equal. Everyone is different in their own ways and should be able to express […]

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron”

"Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” is a dystopian society where equality is mandated by law through extreme measures like weights for the strong, distraction devices for the intelligent, and masks for the beautiful. The premise is that because everyone is the “same” or “equal” there will be no conflicts because there are no differences. Vonnegut exhibits a command of metafiction through the near deadpan interactions and shocking lack empathy of his characters. Contrary to typical literary techniques that are designed to […]

Distorted Equality in “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

The governments of the USA and other most developed countries of Europe take various measures to protect democracy and cultivate democratic principles, ideas and values among their citizens. These measures include ensuring equality and justice for all the people and creating equal opportunities for the favorable and comprehensive personal and professional development of humans and economic, political, and social prosperity and welfare of the whole society. However, sometimes numerous members of different parties and political elites of different countries declare […]

“Harrison Bergeron”: Vonnegut’s Vision of Forced Equality

In an era that clamored for change and civil rights, Kurt Vonnegut emerged as a thought-provoking voice with his dystopian short story "Harrison Bergeron." Set in a future America where every individual is made "equal" by the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments to the Constitution, Vonnegut crafts a satirical commentary on the dangers of enforced equality. This narrative is a complex exploration of the boundaries between individuality and societal norms, pushing readers to question the price of uniformity. At the […]

Unraveling the Enigma of Harrison Bergeron

In the annals of American literature, few short stories have captivated readers and provoked contemplation quite like Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron." This dystopian masterpiece, published in 1961, offers a satirical glimpse into a world where equality is taken to absurd extremes. With its thought-provoking narrative and rich symbolism, "Harrison Bergeron" remains as relevant today as it was when it first graced the pages of a magazine. In this exploration, we'll delve into the themes, characters, and lasting impact of this […]

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COMMENTS

  1. A Summary and Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut's 'Harrison Bergeron'

    'Harrison Bergeron' is a 1961 short story by the American writer Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007). The story can be categorised as 'dystopian satire' or a 'satirical dystopian story', but we'll say more about these labels in a moment. The action of the story takes place in the future America of 2081, where everyone has been made truly ...

  2. Harrison Bergeron Summary & Analysis

    Despite the nation's sweeping equality, all is not wholly perfect—"H-G men" have taken away George and Hazel Bergeron 's teenaged son, Harrison.Though this is tragic, the Bergerons "couldn't think about it very hard," since Hazel can't think about anything very hard and George, who has above-average strength and intelligence, must wear mental and physical handicaps at all times.

  3. Harrison Bergeron Theme: Essay

    Harrison Bergeron, a short story by Kurt Vonnegut, highlights the perils of governmental control, coupled with people's ignorance. Vonnegut goes ahead to predict the results of such a move. The most prominent theme of Harrison Bergeron is the lack of freedom in American society. Vonnegut also explains how the loss of civil rights is catching ...

  4. Analysis of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

    The central and title character, Harrison Bergeron, is, of course, a threat to this community since he is physically fit, handsome, intellectual, and, what is worse, rebellious. As a result, he is forced to bear enormous handicaps. These include distracting noises, 300- pounds of excess weight, eyeglasses to give him headaches, and cosmetic ...

  5. What are some essay questions for "Harrison Bergeron"?

    Therefore, if you wanted to focus on this theme, an excellent essay question to select might be: "Harrison Bergeron" shows the dangers of equality. This would allow you to discuss how equality is ...

  6. Harrison Bergeron Study Guide

    Harrison Bergeron can be read alongside a series of other dystopian novels written in the same post-WWII time period, including George Orwell's Animal Farm and 1984, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, and Arthur Koestler's Darkness at Noon. These works explore the horrors of unchecked authoritarianism through literary satire and absurdity.

  7. Analysis of "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr

    In April, Harrison Bergeron, the fourteen-year-old son of George and Hazel, is taken away by government agents. Neither of them thinks deeply about it. Hazel is average and incapable of deep thought, while George's mental handicap ear transmitter interrupts his thoughts with a variety of noises. They are watching ballerinas on television.

  8. Harrison Bergeron: Study Guide

    Overview. "Harrison Bergeron" is a dystopian science fiction short story by Kurt Vonnegut that was first published in 1961. The story is set in the year 2081 and follows the titular character, a young man who is exceptionally intelligent and athletic but is held back by a government that enforces absolute equality among all citizens.

  9. Harrison Bergeron Themes

    In "Harrison Bergeron," the totalitarian state regulates the minds and bodies of its citizens to ensure statewide equality. In addition to distributing handicap devices to lower the physical and/or mental strength of above-average citizens, the government maintains equality among citizens through ideologically-charged media that encourages citizens to consent to the invasive practices of ...

  10. Harrison Bergeron Introduction

    Let's just say, it's not pretty. "Harrison Bergeron" was first published in Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine in 1961, with Civil Rights in full swing and the radical '60s just beginning. Issues of equality and fairness were on a lot of people's minds, and this story struck a nerve. It's been hailed as both "a prime example of where the ills ...

  11. Analyzing Themes and Symbolism in "Harrison Bergeron" by ...

    It is not uncommon for literature to be used as a platform for social criticism and commentary. In the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., readers are taken on a journey through a dystopian world where equality is the ultimate goal.However, in this essay, we will analyze the themes and symbolism portrayed in "Harrison Bergeron" and discuss their significance in understanding ...

  12. Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

    Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron Essay. Table of Contents. The 20-th century introduced the industrial spirit to almost every country around the world. The change in the mode of production and a switch to an unfamiliar social system was quite difficult for most nations to put up with. High capital requirements, inherent to the industrial era ...

  13. Harrison Bergeron Lesson Plans, Activities, Summary, Analysis, and More

    Teaching Guide for "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut ELA Common Core Standards Covered Teaching "Harrison Bergeron" covers the following ELA common core standards for reading and writing. RL.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme

  14. Harrison Bergeron: Themes

    The Danger of Totalitarian Government. In "Harrison Bergeron," Vonnegut portrays a dystopic totalitarian government that tortures and executes its citizens to achieve its goal of physical and mental equality among all Americans. The beautiful must wear hideous masks or disfigure themselves, the intelligent must listen to earsplitting noises ...

  15. Essays on Harrison Bergeron

    1 page / 680 words. In "Harrison Bergeron" Kurt Vonnegut criticized the way government took advantage of the power they had over civilians and demolished people's strongest capabilities. A few years later, Joseph Alvarez wrote "An Overview of Harrison Bergeron" to analyze the work. He believed Vonnegut's use of the...

  16. Harrison Bergeron Essay Questions

    The SuperSummary difference. 1. The society in "Harrison Bergeron" is under State Control through the use of elaborate "handicaps.". Explain how George's handicaps affect his relationship with Hazel and Harrison OR how his handicaps affect his thoughts about State Control and/or Political Inaction. In your concluding sentence or ...

  17. Harrison Bergeron: Motifs

    Vonnegut suggests that the noise is so awful that it can't be mentioned, just as the murder of Harrison is so awful that George and Hazel can't fully comprehend it. The final noise George hears is that of a riveting gun, an appropriate echo of the way Diana Moon Glampers killed Harrison. A summary of motifs in Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron.

  18. Harrison Bergeron Essay + Example Hooks and Grabbers

    Harrison Bergeron Essay + Example Hooks and Grabbers. Today our goal is to finish annotating "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut and begin writing your essay. FIRST, we will discuss the story. Paragraph #1 Intro (f ab hook - please look at the ideas below) with mention of the theme.

  19. 68 Topics in Harrison Bergeron & Essay Samples

    The equality, mindset, and physicality of a totalitarian regime are the main topics being stated in the very beginning by the phrase, "Nobody was smarter than anybody else. "Harrison Bergeron" a Short Story by Vonnegut. Absolute equality is not an objective worth pursuing, as many people think, according to Vonnegut's argument in ...

  20. Harrison Bergeron

    16 essay samples found. Harrison Bergeron is a satirical dystopian short story by Kurt Vonnegut that explores themes of equality, government control, and the suppression of individual excellence. Essays on this topic might delve into the analysis of its themes, Vonnegut's satirical style, or the societal critiques embedded within the narrative.