Harrison Bergeron

Madison Hyles

Ms.Stetz

Humanities

03 January 2015

Harrison Bergeron

In the short story Harrison Bergeron written by Kurt Vonnegut there are many ways it relates to the current time period because of symbolism. Harrison Bergeron in the story represents the small piece of the current world's population who isn't okay with settling for the practical normalities.

Firstly, Kurt Vonnegut writes “The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?" If Hazel hadn't been able to come up with an answer to this question, George couldn't have supplied one. A siren was going off in his head. "Reckon it'd fall all apart," said Hazel. "What would?" said George blankly. "Society”,(Vonnegut 3&4). This quote shows the thoughts by the everyday “average” people how they are afraid of change or their society falling apart because it's what they have become accustomed to. They do not believe there is anything better only worse which is why people are punished for being above normal or average. This is their own symbolism for the everyday people and the foreshadowing for the person who is outside of the mold Harrison Bergeron.

Also, Vonnegut writes, "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.", (Vonnegut 3). Vonnegut writes this to show how the government tries to show change of any kind whether it be by looks, athleticism, or knowledge is to be perceived as dangerous. Harrison Bergeron is perceived as wanting to overthrow the government because he