Use an example from your own experiences and observations to illustrate the ideas about equality presented in ''Harrison Bergeron''
First, Harrison Bergeron presents many things within the story that are a reality in today's world. Vonnegut addresses individuality, strengths and weaknesses, intelligence, beauty..... all of the things that make us special....... different. He also addresses a world in which propaganda leaves the multitude embracing what they're told rather than assessing a situation for themselves.
In this story, the government utilizes handicaps to promote equality. In looking at the characters, however, we see that the handicaps themselves make their talents more apparent..... more visible, in addition to making the characters ineffectual in the world they live in. Beauty is hidden, strength is weighed down, gracefulness is made clumsy, voices are disguised, and intelligence is punished.
Propaganda runs rampant..... citizens are forced to embrace what the government wants them to believe and forbidden to think for themselves. Citizens are manipulated, and those who question what they're told...... those who speak the truth are punished...... government teachings are backed up with brutality and the threat of incarceration or elimination. Ironically, those in power are not handicapped (Diana Moon Glampers). They're free to say and do what they want without interference, and they're free to move about without question, all while directing the lives of the masses.
When Vonnegut wrote this story, he was speaking directly to the idea of socialism, something present in our word today, and something that many would say is supported by various government officials in the United States. We see evidence of these things in healthcare, education, and the workplace.
Harrison Bergeron
