Satire In Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron

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“I think every person has their own identity and beauty. Everyone being different is what is really beautiful. If we were all the same, it would be boring.” –Tila Tequila. In “Harrison Bergeron”, Kurt Vonnegut uses satire to explore the theme of equality in a futuristic dystopian society, which reminds the reader in some ways of the society in which we live today. In this dystopia, Harrison, a genius and an athlete, is forced to wear handicaps to bring him down to a level of equality with others around him in an effort to eliminate feelings of inferiority in their society. Although equality may seem like a necessary component in a modern, progressive society, forced equality could have a negative impact on the society itself by eliminating…show more content…
In the article “Growing Up When ‘Everyone Wins’ How Do Kids Learn to Win?” by Michael Brunner demonstrates how we need competition in America today. In the article Brunner describes how most children today receive the treatment of being winners, when they need to learn about completion. Brunner states that he wants workers in his company to be competitive and strive to be the best, also he “I’m seeing young adults come through our doors believing that everyone wins.” If everyone was equal there would be no competition for companies to compete against each other. If all of the children today weren’t treated as winners, then they would want to become better than they are now. In the article “How Do We Determine ‘Winners’ When Everyone’s A Winner?” written by Maura Pennington states that “Competition doesn’t disappear when everyone’s named a winner, it’s the winners themselves that disappear.” Without competition many children or people couldn’t reach their full potential. If everyone was equal then there would be no competition and everyone would still be considered winners, when they truly…show more content…
In Brunner’s article he describes how he wants “motivated people” to work for his companies, however if everyone was equal no one would try to be the best. Without motivation this world would come to a stop, companies wouldn’t come out with new products, or as Pennington claims that research and scientific exploration would stop. There would be no reason for them to continue because everyone would be on the same level. Many people would be without jobs if there were no motivation. Everyone would have no reason to have sports or even school because no one could succeed when everyone is equal. Athletes would have no reason to strive to be the best. Students would have no motivation to be the smartest in the school because they all receive the same opportunity. Without motivation this world would become a stagnate pool with no movement or

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