Malachi Knoll Eng. Comp. 102-106 Mr.

Neuburger 8 February 2012 Essay Response Harrison Bergeron Kurt Vonnegut Jrs Harrison Bergeron describes a futuristic setting where everybody is equal through a controlling government that requires the wearing of handicaps. One point Vonnegut is trying tell is a completely equal world will make people easily controllable. When one starts reading, it becomes apparent the government has so much control over their citizens the parents of a boy who just got arrested are not only ok with it, they do not do anything about it. The parents . . . couldnt think about it very hard (Pg. 293) because the government took away their ability to think in long periods of times. During a public announcement Harrison claims, I am the Emperor! (Pg. 297) and then proceeds to select an Empress or . . . the first women . . . to rise to her feet claim her mate and throne! (Pg. 297). Later, Harrison removes the musicians handicaps and tells them, Play your best, and Ill make you dukes and earls (Pg. 298), and they play. When Harrison and his mate are killed, the musicians quickly put their handicaps back on even after though they realize how free they are. In the end, Harrisons parents are so controlled they do not even know their son was killed.

Vonnegut Jr., Kurt. "Harrison Bergeron." Power of Language Language of Power A Collection of Readings. Vol. Second Custom Edition for Ozarks Technical Community College. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2011. 293-99. Print.