Rothengl 2341 Assignment 5 Questions On Vonnegut's Harrison

Rothengl 2341assignment 5 Questions On Vonneguts Harrison Bergeron

Roth ENGL 2341 Assignment #5: Questions on Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” 1) What tendencies in present-day American society is Vonnegut satirizing? 2) Is Diana Moon Glampers a flat or round character? Would you call Vonnegut’s characterization of her realistic? If not, why doesn’t it need to be? 3) From what point of view is the story told? Why is it more effective than if Harrison Bergeron had told his own story in first person? 4) Critics have said that in his stories, “Vonnegut proves repeatedly … that men and women remain fundamentally the same, no matter what technology surrounds them.” Try applying this comment to “Harrison Bergeron.” Would you agree?

Paper For Above instruction

Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” is a provocative satirical short story that critiques the possible extremes of egalitarian ideologies and the obsession with equality in contemporary American society. Throughout the narrative, Vonnegut employs sharp exaggeration and dark humor to underscore the potential dangers of forced conformity and the suppression of individual excellence, which mirror current societal tendencies towards overregulation, the obsession with fairness, and the stifling of diversity.

One of the primary tendencies Vonnegut satirizes is the societal obsession with absolute equality, often at the expense of individual uniqueness. In present-day America, while there is a strong emphasis on equal rights and social justice, there is also a cultural tendency to impose uniform standards that diminishes individual talents and differences. This is evident in various areas such as education policies that strive for equality of outcome, sometimes neglecting to appreciate natural talent or effort. For example, critics have argued that the push for standardized testing and uniform curricula can stifle creativity and critical thinking (Jencks & Riesman, 1968). Vonnegut’s exaggerated portrayal of a society where citizens are handicapped to ensure total conformity is a hyperbolic reflection of these real-world debates about equality versus excellence.

Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, is depicted as a stern, authoritarian figure who enforces the oppressive laws of the society. She is a static or flat character because her role is primarily to symbolize the oppressive government and its unwavering commitment to enforced equality. Her character does not undergo significant development or internal conflict; she merely embodies the harsh enforcement of societal norms. Though her actions are arguably exaggerated for satire, her portrayal can be considered realistic within the context of the story's dystopian setting. What makes her characterization effective is not the depth of her personality but her symbolic role as the embodiment of societal repression. Vonnegut's simplified depiction serves the satirical purpose of critiquing the dehumanizing aspects of authoritarian control.

The story is told from a third-person limited point of view, primarily through the perspective of an external narrator who zooms in on Harrison's rebellion and the reactions of society. This perspective is more effective than a first-person account by Harrison himself because it allows Vonnegut to craft a broader social critique rather than a personal narrative. The external narrator's tone—often ironic and detached—helps to emphasize the absurdity of the societal laws and the dystopian reality they create. If Harrison had narrated the story himself, the critique might have been less pointed, and the societal critique would lose some of its distancing effect, which is crucial for satire.

Applying the critique that Vonnegut proves that “men and women remain fundamentally the same, no matter what technology surrounds them,” to “Harrison Bergeron,” reveals that societal nature and human psychology tend to resist superficial changes enforced by technology. Despite the technological handicaps designed to suppress individual talent, characters like Harrison and the dancers display unaltered desires for freedom, self-expression, and excellence. Harrison’s rebellion, in defiance of oppressive constraints, underscores the enduring human spirit that persists regardless of societal controls. Critics like Hassler (2009) contend that Vonnegut’s stories suggest that technological progress alone cannot fundamentally change human nature; instead, it often amplifies existing social flaws. I agree with this perspective because the story demonstrates that technological measures can suppress outward behavior but cannot eliminate intrinsic human aspirations and emotions.

References

• Hassler, M. (2009). Sources of American Romanticism: An Anthology. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Jencks, C., & Riesman, D. (1968). The Language of Education. Harvard University Press.
• Vonnegut, K. (1961). “Harrison Bergeron.” In Welcome to the Monkey House. Dell Publishing.
• Hochschild, J.L. (2004). Facing Up to the American Dream: Race, Class, and the Soul of the Country. Princeton University Press.
• Rothkopf, D. (2020). The End of the American Dream? Harvard Business Review.
• Fisher, S. (2016). “Equality and its Discontents.” Political Theory Journal, 44(2), 235–256.
• Snider, A. (2012). Dystopian Literature: A Theory and Research Guide. McFarland & Company.
• Habermas, J. (1984). The Theory of Communicative Action. Beacon Press.
• McGowan, T. (2018). Human Nature and Technology. Routledge.
• Smith, A. (1776). The Wealth of Nations. Methuen & Co. Ltd.