Karis Edwards
Mrs. Weaver
LNG 312
16, February 2011

The Desired World

No one has ever been given their place on Earth at birth. No man should ever succumb to the
whims of others, paying no attention to his own. The stories of 3brave, fearless, witty men creating their
place in a communistic world is one less often told. “Harrison Bergeon”, written by Vonnegut, was of a
man named Harrison who was gifted immensely, yet handicapped to weaken him and his spirits. Anthem,
written by Ann Ranyd, was of a society of men, one in particular named Equality 7-2521, who were seen
as all and never individually expressed any personal opinion in any way whatsoever. Lastly, Gattaca,
written by Niccol, is of a man named Vincent who, due to a birth defect, could not live his dream of
traveling into space, and was seen as an undesirable mistake.

The 3 individuals go beyond restraints and bondages of society to discover who they can become.
Each determines their own fate leave behind a new meaning for others to follow his example and learn
the meaning of their actions and choices. Each man defies all odds and pins himself against society to
receive the knowledge or actions the desire themselves. Equality went against his brothers, the people
whom he was born and raised with, and journeyed into a new and unknown world to rediscover and
further exceed his knowledge of the “Science of Things” (26). Vincent was told he could never amount to
anything, always under an everlasting servitude to others who seemed above him physically, emotionally,
and intellectually. However, even with the best test score, the only score that mattered was the “Blood
Test” he had to take to determine his compatibility for such an exclusive network, Gattaca. For Harrison’s
dilemma, he was handicapped for being absolutely “Better”(3), as he was seen among his peers. He was
superior to all those who even dared to compare themselves to his magnificent attributes. However, in his
society, better is never acceptable. He was perhaps the most handicapped individual in the entire
controlled area. As a result, these restraints only strengthened each man’s desire for freedom and a feeling
of self worth.

Determining fate was something most had found irrelevant in these cases. No one wanted to stand
apart, only to slowly move along with life and obey any order they were given. This could happen to
these people, even us, because only their independence was taken at birth. Equality starts a whole new
world apart from the one he had thought he knew so well, until he discovered secrets. When Equality was
told his future occupation, he was sent into a rebellious stage to release his actual potential and distribute
his knowledge throughout the world he created. Most men would never defy this way, scared of the
thought of death as an extreme punishment. Vincent was never allowed to become a part of the perfect
and ideal society. He was seen as an “In- Valid” and never to be given the job of a man superior than
himself. He worked day and night to prove himself, physically and intellectually, that he could become a
astronaut, and his hard work and deception allowed him to journey onto the next frontier as he dreams of
for so long. Harrison was a man, unlike the Vincent, exceeded by all standards in every category for man.
He was perfect, and yet his perfection burdened him. His world was focused on “Equal” man and women,
no one could be better than others. However, Harrison removed his weights, thought restrictors, and all
other object that seemed to forbear his potential as becoming a jewel to his peers. When he did remove
these handicaps, he expressed pure happiness and joy on a live broadcast around the world. This did attest
to the millions watching the possibility of an uprising and destruction of the absurd rituals the leaders
rendered upon them. As a result, Harrison was murdered, yet he died in the flattering feeling of happiness,
and his action had a probable questioning of the ruling of the world.
 These outstanding individuals left behind a message of individuality when they completed their
journey into self-awareness. Harrison demonstrates the importance of no matter how hard we try, being
completely equal is impossible. You can only be as great and powerful as you say you can be. Equality
demonstrates the significance of self worth and seeing yourself and you, not we, not us. Man has a sense
of freedom that should never be taken or harmed in any way. Vincent allows self determination to
progress his accomplishments. He was told he was nothing, and against it all, he took the risk of climbing
to the top and becoming the best. Not just “The best”, but his best. His journey explained the
interpretation between the two.

In spite of all odds and obstacles these 3 men faced, each ventured onto a locomote to discover a
part of them they felt was not present. Anyone can exceed standards and reach a potential greater than
ever imagined. The most important thing to remember, if nothing else is when your mind is set on a
specific goal, go for it. The odds will be against you, and some will want to see you fall. Just remember,
nothing is impossible.