Blog #5- Cara Dacus

I have chosen Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut, as my primary text. Set in a futuristic society, Vonnegut describes a place that has taken the phrase from the Declaration of Independence,  "All men are created equal", to appalling, and tragically comical lengths. The story opens with: "The year was 2181, and everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal in every which way". In this short story we are given a quick glimpse of a society in which everybody is equal. Those who are stronger or faster are burdened with weights. Those who are beautiful must wear ugly masks. Those who are smart must wear ear pieces that blast loud distracting noises at intervals, constantly breaking their train of thought. George and Hazel are a couple who's son, Harrison Bergeron, has just been taken away by the government for being too exceptional. Hazel is pretty average, and so does not have any government interventions. George has above average intelligence and so must wear an ear piece. He is also stronger than average and so must carry a weighted bag around his neck. Their son, Harrison, is extraordinary in every way. He is tall, genius, and beautiful. In comical and dramatic fashion George and Hazel watch as their son bursts onto the set of the ballet performance they are watching on television. He declares himself a god, rips off all his many handicaps and pronounces the most beautiful ballerina to be his empress. The two dance around the studio, more graceful and beautiful than is humanly possible, until the United States Handicapper General bursts in with shot gun. She guns the two of them down as they are dancing and kissing, suspended in the air. By creating this literal "equal utopia", Vonnegut shows the darkest side of egalitarianism, revealing it ironically (in not too subtle language) as a true dystopia.

According to readthinkwrite.org a dystopia is described as: "a futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system". Harrison Bergeron is a true dystopia, fitting in perfectly to the illusioned perfect society maintained through bureaucratic/totalitarian control. Vonnegut is making the criticism that trying to make everybody equal would actually create a terrible existence for everybody, that by trying to make everything fair, then nothing will truly be fair.  Through a marxist lens, the bourgeoisie and proletariat are pretty clear. The government, specifically the Handicapper General, is in complete power/control over the citizens of the United States. Harrison Bergeron rebels against this power, fighting for freedom and power of his own, but is ultimately unsuccessful. His parents, witnessing his rapid rise and fall to power, are not even capable of expressing any emotion or thought about their son because of the oppressive constraints, either natural or government mandated, that they both must live with. In this case, the bourgeoisie has successfully restrained the proletariat.

I have not done any research yet. Any tips or advice would be appreciated!