it seems to be human nature to search for true equality. Now the definition of equality is subject to much debate, as it may differ from person to person. There are also varying degrees of this equality that can blur the line of freedom and imprisonment. To live free one does not need equality, and to live in equality does not mean one is free. Many times when you seek to attain total equality the freedoms of people can be taken away. people may be blindly happy with their lot because they are told that everyone is the same and no one will argue. Freedom is not something that can be given or taken away, it is something man is born with and has throughout his life. As in this story Harrison Bergeron is a story of a society that has gone to the extreme to make sure everyone is equal by handicapping people. The people in this society are happy and equal, but they are not happy of their own choosing, which is a great sin against humanity.
The people are governed by a seemingly tame government that is only out for the happiness of the people. They had noticed the frequent unhappiness of the people because of the differences in society. In establishing the department of handicapping to make sure no one person is better than an other they ensured true equality. All people must wear a handicap if they are better than their fellow man be it mentally or physically. Memories and thoughts seem to be suppressed as well, as the two characters who are the focus of the story can't even remember seeing their son killed before their eyes . Even performers, who use their physical gifts to entertain people are handicapped. Musicians, dancers it does not matter; all can become whatever they want because everyone is the same. One has to wonder how they were chosen to dance because if they are the same as everyone else there is no talent to show off. No one will get angry at them for being better because they are held down by anchors and hideous masks and are faceless entities in a multitude of people.
Individual rights are buried by the will of the government, and there can be no free speech or protest. Along comes a man though, that dares to be different from his brother men. Harrison Bergeron is probably the most special human being to be born. he is seven feet tall, handsome, in short he is everything that the government is trying to suppress. His effort should have given heart to people, to rally them and show them that this life of equality they were leading was really a prison. Harrison understood that freedom is most important to all human beings. He encourages a beautiful ballerina to shed her handicaps just as he had and dance like she was meant to . He also forces the musicians to take their handicaps off and play music like human beings with talent should be able to. Not too soon after the handicapper general storms in and blows away both Harrison and the girl. This is probably the most shocking of all, government has the power to use ultimate force against people who break laws. The people have absolutely no recourse with which to fight the government, they are handicapped, freedom-less, and helpless against this all powerful government.
This society is one that is ruled through fear, and though there is equality there can be no freedom. Government in this sense is the most tyrannical because there is no way for the people to break free of their bonds. The country has in essence become a "tyranny of the majority". It is not certain why the people chose to go this route, maybe because of fear of other people who are different. Maybe the people believed that being "equal" meant something different, something more virtuous. Perhaps it can be said that equality means that everyone has the same opportunities, this is surely a good thing. As we look at our country now we do not have this, some people are innately at a disadvantage. Since that does not exist, maybe people sought that, certainly the people in the story could do whatever they want (apart from being in the government) because they are all at the same level. There are no checks and balances in this system, there is no justice save what the government decides.
In a society of slaves, is one slave better than another? Except for a few coveted positions slaves are equal in the eyes of their master. These people are akin to slaves in that they toil away pressed on by the whip and chain which are the handicaps that have been weighed down upon them. There is a difference between these people and slaves; slaves are taken against their will, but these people have submitted willingly with their reason to government. It is sad to say that people would willingly trade their freedom and their souls away in order to be blindingly happy. Some might say that this might end this pursuit of happiness, but why would we want it to end. Happiness is a subjective and personal emotion, it is meant to be sought after on an individual basis Sure happiness can be infectious to some but it is only because those that share similar values and definitions of happiness will achieve it. This is why a collective happiness is so false because not all men will find happiness in the same things and are only led to believe they are happy through fear. Men are forced to believe that they are equally happy, equally strong, equally competent through handicap and anyone who goes against this is met with the force of the government.
Fear is a powerful tool, it makes us believe things that we would not normally believe. Fear and tyranny are major themes in the story of Harrison Bergeron. In this society there is no freedom, there is no recourse for debate. The Government is the judge, jury and executioner of these slave like people. Sameness and stagnation can result from this equality, and there can be no progress because of the lock on man's reason Government should not be able to limit free as a means to and end which is equality, because the ends do not justify the means.
