The citizens in the short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” are not equal because the society in which they live has a warped view of what equality is. This dystopian society thinks equality is achieved by making everyone the same. Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, makes sure everyone is “equal” by giving them disabilities that oppress their natural talents and abilities. Harrison, who is young, tall, and strong, is handicapped by wearing metal around his neck...
The citizens in the short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” are not equal because the society in which they live has a warped view of what equality is. This dystopian society thinks equality is achieved by making everyone the same. Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, makes sure everyone is “equal” by giving them disabilities that oppress their natural talents and abilities. Harrison, who is young, tall, and strong, is handicapped by wearing metal around his neck and thick “coke bottle” glasses so he cannot see well. Because of his intelligence, George, Harrison’s father, is handicapped with earphones that blast loud noises in his ears so he can’t think clearly.
The society is this story doesn’t understand that equality means that you give everyone the same rights while celebrating their individuality and differences. If everyone is given the same rights like freedom of speech or freedom of religion as outlined in the Bill of Rights and Constitution, then, in theory, everyone is equal. Therefore, no one in Harrison Bergeron’s society will ever be equal until they change their perception of what equality truly is.
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