Throughout the short story, the future citizens of the United States are subjected to rules and regulations that make everyone perfectly equal. The vigilant agents of the United States Handicapper General have managed to make competition obsolete by handicapping individuals with excess talent, intelligence, and beauty. These restrictions severely limit the citizens' abilities, and individuals who attempt to remove their specific restrictive devices are arrested. Generally speaking, these impediments do not push the majority of...
Throughout the short story, the future citizens of the United States are subjected to rules and regulations that make everyone perfectly equal. The vigilant agents of the United States Handicapper General have managed to make competition obsolete by handicapping individuals with excess talent, intelligence, and beauty. These restrictions severely limit the citizens' abilities, and individuals who attempt to remove their specific restrictive devices are arrested. Generally speaking, these impediments do not push the majority of the population to greater heights. However, Harrison Bergeron would be considered the exception. Harrison's impediments motivate him to escape from prison, strip away his government issued weights, and attempt to overthrow the government. He is by far the most physically gifted member of society and wishes to live his life without restrictive devices. When Harrison speaks into the television cameras, he declares that he is the Emperor by saying,
"I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!" (Vonnegut, 3).
Harrison then strips away his restrictive weights and leaps into the air with a beautiful ballerina. Harrison's actions reflect his desire to become the best version of himself by living up to his potential. While the majority of the population is stifled by the government restrictions, citizens like Harrison are motivated to break free from their oppressive devices in order to excel in life.
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