Equality Achieved?

In the science fiction short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” we see the concept of egalitarianism emerge in a dystopian society in which competition is strictly hampered by the use of handicaps to limit people’s abilities. In the past and the present times, the need for equality is strongly advocated for through a series of protests, law, and amendment changes. We seem to acquire and desire for equality so much that it defines our society. But how much equality is too much? In the year 2081 in the fictional world of “Harrison Bergeron,” society was finally equal in a way that “nobody was smarter, better-looking, stronger, or quicker than anybody else.” Vonnegut depicts a feared future world where everything is controlled by an authoritarian government and through this, he conveys his attitude on equality by describing the demise and the danger of ultimate equality.

Conformity is a key concept that the story portrays, and the setting implies that it is a vital part of society. Failure to follow the government’s standards can result in astonishing consequences as stated by George Bergeron, Harrison’s father, "Two years in prison and two thousand dollars fine for every ball I took out” (591).  Harrison Bergeron, imprisoned and overwhelmingly above average due to his handicaps, is the beacon of hope in the desire to break away from the authoritarian government, or so it seems for a brief period of time. Even though everybody is in awe of Harrison’s enlightening and graceful dance with the ballerina, the harsh reality is brought to light as Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, kills Harrison and the ballerina. There is no escape from this world, and any form of rebellion will be relinquished.

Essentially, the authoritarian government is controlled by a Handicapper General who oversees the functions of suppressing people who are of above average intelligence. George Bergeron has a mental handicap in his ear, which is a device that makes a sound every twenty seconds that effectively halters his thought processes to prevent the above average intelligence population from having an unfair advantage. Besides the control of intelligence, beauty and grace are also inhibited based on the description of the ballerinas in which “They were burdened with sashweights and bags of birdshot, and their faces were masked, so that no one, seeing a free and graceful gesture or a pretty face, would feel like something the cat drug in” (590). The quote “All men are created equal,” is widely known. In these ways, everybody was finally equal. On the surface, it seems that it is a simple statement that requires easy adjustments, but it is not so. Conformity is not fully achievable.

Media is a distraction for the general public, as seen through the beginning of the story when Hazel and George Bergeron are watching a television program about the ballerinas. The television is the main source of communication and ways to effectively convey messages. Unfortunately, this is too much like propaganda, such as when Harrison’s picture was shown with a variety of intricate handicaps, to signify the importance of adhering to the strict rules of the government. The short story has a similar theme to 1984, on the danger of the government and rebellion, and the inescapable need to be loyal to the authoritarian regime. With this desolate situation, it is clear that the story depicts the author’s view of equality and societal standards. The standard of equality and the need for conformity is not attainable to the fullest extent. Vonnegut exemplifies the danger of the ultimate equality by describing a terrible scenario in which people are hampered by severe handicaps to achieve equality.