Diana Raylyanu Mr.

Neuburger Eng 102-102 8 February 2012 Response Essay Harrison Bergeron Kurt Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron explores the rebellion of non-conformist Harrison Bergeron against a society that claims to be finally equal in every way. Through the characters of Harrison Bergeron and Diana Moon Glampers, Vonnegut shows that absolute equality is an unattainable and dangerous fantasy. In the year 2081, the government resorts to force in the use of handicaps to create an equal society. A problem arose in the shape of Harrison Bergeron who had outgrown hindrances faster than the H-G men could think them up (296). The Handicapper General considers Harrison to be a genius, an athlete, under-handicapped, and as a result, extremely dangerous. To solve the problem that Harrison poses, Diana Moon Glampers, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten gauge shotgun (298). She fired only two shots and Harrison and his Empress were dead. Glampers was not equal to those around her, because she had the power to silence the threat that was Harrison. Absolute equality as proposed by Vonnegut will never be attainable because someone will need to be in a position of authority to enforce the rules, while the human spirit will always fight to break free of such constraints. Vonnegut Jr., Kurt. Harrison Bergeron. Power of Language-Language of Power. Vol. Second Custom Edition for Ozarks Technical Community College. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2011. 293-299. Print.