Taishaun Thomas Mr. Neuburger ENG-102-101 13 Feb.

2012 Literary Analysis Oppression and Equality In the story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., the author uses government applied handicaps to represent the human struggle against the government and the desire to be free. The author implies that the government in its attempt to make everyone equal actually oppresses the people of its nation and prevents them from reaching their true potential. This point is shown in the quote describing the handicaps bore by Harrison Bergeron, he wore a tremendous pair of earphones, and spectacles with thick wavy lenses. The spectacles were intended to make him not only half blind, but to give him whanging headaches besides.(206). The author uses the handicaps to represent the oppressiveness of the government, and the will and struggle of the people to thrive. The author describes Harrison as he bursts onto the stage and claims his Empress. They dance higher and higher, and Vonnegut describes, Not only were the laws of the land abandoned, but the law of gravity and the laws of motion as well.(208). This represents the authors belief that without the oppression of the government people could be capable of amazing and wondrous things. (187 words)

Vonnegut Jr., Kurt. "Harrison Bergeron." The Power of Language-Language of Power. Vol. Custom Edition for Ozarks Technical Community College. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2009. 203-09. Print