Government Control Is a Downer

Government Control is a Downer
The short story “Harrison Bergeron” was written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The story takes place in 2081 in the United States of America and all of its citizens are completely equal. People are required to wear handicaps that prevent them from competing with others and becoming equal to everyone else. For example, people with higher intelligence are given mental handicap radio in their ear that prevents them from having their own thoughts. Harrison Bergeron breaks free of all handicap restrictions the governments makes him wear and tries to rebel, but dies trying. Using a little mental handicap radio in George Bergeron’s ear because he is mentally advanced, Harrison Bergeron’s rebellion to break free from government control, and the control by the government of different forms of art as seen in the ballerina dancers are all examples of self vs. society that relate to the central theme that government should not be all powerful.
First, the government put a little mental handicap radio in George Bergeron’s ear because of his above average intelligence is an example of self vs. society that relates to the central theme of the story. The radio in George’s head sends out sharp noises every twenty seconds to disrupt his individual thoughts and keep him from being more intelligent than anyone else. This act by the government to keep everyone completely equal has a negative impact on the society because it doesn’t allow the country’s citizens to use their skills and talents to help better the country. For example, if George Bergeron did not have the mental handicap radio in his ear then he could use his above average intelligence by inventing new technology or by passing his knowledge on by teaching others.
Second, Harrison Bergeron rebelled to break free of government control. Harrison is seven feet tall and is required to wear the strongest handicaps. He has to carry 300 pounds, wear earphones as mental handicap radios, and wear spectacles...