harrison bergeron

Harrison Bergeron


At last, in the year 2081, there is a world of perfect equality. With ‘average’ levels of intelligence, physical strength and appearance balanced out, America has finally become a utopian society. Yet there are flaws, and still inequality within the mask of equality that belittles all those with above-average skills. Brief yet effective, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” is a bitter satire of a futuristic America, seen through the eyes and voices of its citizens.

Vonnegut shows us through characters the different opinions each civilian feel towards this equality law. There is Hazel, who is of ‘average’ intelligence and too stupid to acknowledge even the death of her own son. Her thoughts come and go, drifting here and there. Hazel and all the other Hazel’s in America are the ones who make the leaders of America feel so safe; for she is harmless and easily manipula...