Equality in Harrison Bergeron Essay Example

If everyone is completely equal, then that truly is not equality. In Kurt Vonnegut's short story “Harrison Burgeon,” the idea of complete equality is shown through genetics as well as his idea of handicaps, as being an impossible goal to reach. No person is born equal to another, genetics plays a huge role in creating people who are unique from each other. Without altering genetics, it is impossible for every person to be completely equal. In the short story, things known as handicaps are meant to keep people equal in abilities and appearance, however this is not the case and the handicaps do not work as intended. Equality comes as an unrealistic standard; it is impossible to achieve without major alterations, which in themselves would cause more inequality. You cannot naturally change who a person is or what they can do.                                                                                    Genetics are the basic build that creates each individual unique, and are the deciding factors behind someone's strengths, abilities, and weaknesses. Look at Gorge and Hazel Bergeron, both are humans born with two completely different sets of genetics. Gorge is strong with an above average intelligence, whereas his wife hazel has a completely average strength and intelligence. They cannot be completely equal without editing their genetics to match each other's. Both Hazel and George are sperate people and born unequal, “Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence... and George while his intelligence was way above average” (Vonnegut 58). One can see how Goerge clearly has the advantage in genetics when compared to hazel. Although they are born in a world where complete equality is the standard, it is impossible to create them equal because they are so unique. Genetics does not only create inequality through superior genes, but in the short story Diana Moonglapmers punishes those who have a superior set of genetics. Harrison Bergeron, the son of George and Hazel, is punished for having stronger genetics and being above average for what is the standard. Because of this he is given a hefty punishment... death “[Diana] fired twice and [Harrison and the ballerina] where dead before they hit the floor” (Vonnegut 64). Dianna Moonglampers intentionally took the life of Harrison, simply because he was different from others. He was born with a superior set of genetics and because of this was treated as a criminal, thrown in jail, and shot to death. Genetics differ from one person to the next, creating natural inequality. Nobody can be born with the same genetics as someone else, and that is what makes them unique and different. Genetics are the deciding factor in what keeps us unequal, we could try and cover up these differences but that would only lead to more inequality. 

Trying to hide what makes us equal is exactly what we see in the short story Harrison Burgeon. Handicaps are devices introduced to create complete equality amongst the characters. The handicaps do not work as they are intended. Trying to hide the fact that everyone is different, only further beings to attention one's unique qualities. They point out the things that they are meant to hide, “[the ballerina] must have been extraordinarily beautiful because the mask she wore was hideous” (Vonnegut 59). In this case the ballerina’s handicap is clearly stating the fact that she is seen as above average in beauty compared to those who do not have a mask. This lets those who do have a mask know that they are not seen as beautiful as those who must wear one. Aswell as not only highlighting people's differences, but the handicap system itself is also unfair. The number of handicaps one receives is based on the amount of above average abilities they hold. Some characters receive more than others making this system unequal. This creates an unfair distribution, “nobody has ever born heavier handicaps...Harrison wore a tremendous pair of earphones, spectacles with thick wavey lenses... A red rubber ball for a nose...black caps as shagle tooth” (Vonnegut 62). Harrison is given plenty of handicaps, his appearance is taken over by them, whereas his mother Hazel has none and his father George has two. The amount the characters are given is unequal from each other, which is inequality. The handicaps may seem like a fantastic way to keep characters equal, however they do not work as intended and create a surplus of differences even more noticeable than before. Differences are what keeps humanity unique and unequal. Trying to create the illusion of there being no difference between one person to another dose not benefit anybody.    

The short story “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut jr. Shows how through equality society can create inequality, and how nothing can truly be equal. Genetics and handicaps drive the characters further away from a complete equal society. One can see that the genetics between the Burgeons differ between the characters, resolution in three completely different individuals. Aswell as characters with superior genetics being punished for simply being above the standard. Handicaps try and hide these superior genetics of each character, however, do not work as indented and they create a lot of the inequality we see throughout the story. Society looks at inequality as something we can completely work towards and achieve, however when we taek a look at genetics and traits it is impossible to become the exact same person as everyone else in the world. One cannot hide who they are, and nobody is meant to live up to one standard of human. Equality really is an impossible standard.