Harrison Bergeron

In the story, “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.; Harrison (the protagonist)’s character says a lot about conformity and it’s pros and cons. The story is somewhat discriminatory regarding this, as it was first and foremost written to demonstrate the limitations imposed by communism. Essentially, Harrison Bergeron’s character publicizes the detrimental repercussions to a conformed society. Some of those disadvantages include that a society that has pushed egalitarianism to a radical extreme can only breed feeble beings with a limited perspective. George and Hazel (Harry’s parents), have been rendered vacuous by their autocratic government, and seemingly have no powers of judgment or well-formed thoughts about anything. Handicaps, supposedly utensils created to establish a nation of impartiality, seem to obstruct everyone from rising to their potential.  Hazel can only think in sporadic bursts (and then forgets) and George’s handicaps prevent him from thinking for over 20 seconds. The whole population adheres to laws created by the Handicapper General so as to keep everyone in this stagnant state of cluelessness. The TV presenter at the ballet studio could was illiterate and could barely read out his lines. And all of this evidence came before Harrison. Harrison himself demonstrates this, as it is obvious that this ignorance and suppression of progress has caused an internal rebellion within him. He is constantly fighting against the government and it’s dictatorial approach. Harrison cannot tolerate such idiocy and coercion. He is violent in his action (screamed, cried, bellowed, ripped, yelled.) Harrison’s character was assertive, demonstrated strength and even bordered on oppressive. He challenged all the laws of equality and for a single moment, rendered himself better than everyone else and rose to his potential. Harrison’s character was too strong for this obsolete society. Taking away his abilities enraged him and caused him to defy the government. It enraged him that everyone was so unaware and oblivious. Harrison’s character is obviously sickened by how psychologically anemic his nation has become and his traits make it so that he feels forced to riot against it, to show his revulsion regarding conformity and ignorance. His character shows how a nation where intelligence bridled to create an equally ignorant society creates internal rebellions within. Harrison’s character is an outsider’s insight into how extreme conformists can also create a ineffective and acquiescent society.