Introduction
Kurt Vonnegut is one of those world-class American writers who has the most interesting feature for me: paradoxical thinking. The author wrote “Harrison Bergeron” back in 1961, but it is as relevant today as ever. The author describes a society that believes people’s abilities and appearance should not upset others. Harrison Bergeron’s story touched me intellectually and emotionally, as the phenomena described by the author are prevalent today. This fact affected me deeply because people do not allow themselves to develop.
Enforced Equality and Its Emotional Impact
According to the inhabitants of this little story, to achieve happiness, it is necessary to make all people equal and establish a normal level for all people and human beings. Intelligence, weight, height, and jumping ability are averages (Vonnegut 7). If a person is too handsome, he is given an ugly mask; if he runs too fast, he is given a weight that will hinder him. Upon learning of these facts, I was emotionally moved and shocked.
Government Control Through Suppression of Intelligence
The government does not need an intelligent population because it can start asking questions, and things can end badly. So, the people in charge of governments make the population less intelligent because it is easier to control them that way. For example, the idea that people had a special mechanism implanted in their ears to restrict them from unnecessary thoughts reminded me of today’s scenario, where those who try to challenge the government can be imprisoned (Vonnegut 10).
Propaganda, Freedom, and Modern Parallels
I can also cite the propaganda shown in a piece of government work meant to mess with people’s minds (Vonnegut 14). This phenomenon is prevalent today, even though people have freedom of speech. As an example, I can cite the political situation in Puerto Rico. Today, Congress governs Puerto Rico’s territory under the provisions of the U.S. Constitution of the Territories, which gives it the right to establish “rules and regulations” for U.S. territories. Federal laws are in effect there, but the three million Americans in Puerto Rico have no say in making those laws.
This situation reminded me very much of what is happening in the story. The population is ruled, and the rules are dictated to them, but the people have no way to interact with the government. Such an element of the novel’s setting helps me take the theme seriously. The piece’s character gives the right atmosphere that helps the reader understand that what is happening is not normal.
Setting, Conflict, and the Relevance of the Theme
The setting in the story can resemble situations that occur in today’s world, which makes me think seriously. The conflict described by the author reinforces my belief that the government manipulates the population without giving them the right to think and act freely. The plot is fascinating; the author does an excellent job of introducing fantastical elements to describe the problem convincingly enough.
Finally, the story’s theme touched me, as it is very relevant. Unifying ideas such as special settings and conflicts enliven all other story elements. The author purposely creates an atmosphere that will leave no doubt that the future, if it is to be one, cannot be called joyful. The author intensifies the reader’s impression and makes the reader think. An element such as conflict contributes to my understanding of the theme and gives me a basis for reflection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this work touches me both intellectually and emotionally. It is a very small but interesting story that makes me think about the current situation in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the world. The author predicts events, giving the reader a basis for reflection. The story is very interestingly written, which also reinforces the impression of it. Kurt Vonnegut uses story elements skillfully, which is very important to the extent to which the reader understands his main point.
Work Cited
Vonnegut, Kurt. Harrison Bergeron. Mercury Press, 1962.