Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Why is the government looking for Harrison Bergeron in Kurt Vonnegut's story "Harrison Bergeron"?

At the beginning of the story, readers learn fourteen-year-old Harrison Bergeron was taken by the Handicapper General men and placed in jail.


And it was in that clammy month that the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron's fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away. 


Later on, breaking news reveals Harrison unexpectedly escaped from jail and is on the loose. Harrison was originally put in jail because he was suspected of plotting to overthrow the government. Now that...

At the beginning of the story, readers learn fourteen-year-old Harrison Bergeron was taken by the Handicapper General men and placed in jail.



And it was in that clammy month that the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron's fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away. 



Later on, breaking news reveals Harrison unexpectedly escaped from jail and is on the loose. Harrison was originally put in jail because he was suspected of plotting to overthrow the government. Now that Harrison has escaped, the government is searching for him because they believe him to be a threat to the government as a whole and to society's current state of "equality." 



"Harrison Bergeron, age fourteen," she said in a grackle squawk, "has just escaped from jail, where he was held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous."



Considering the handicaps Harrison is required to endure, it is clear he is incredibly strong and extremely intelligent, making him a capable candidate to overthrow the government and the Handicapper General. The government fears his escape will allow him to successfully overthrow the government once and for all. Harrison's rebellion and his attempts to bring an end to society's idea of "equality" show he has an ethical view of what it means to be truly equal.

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