Historical/New Historical Criticism

The idea of competition is no stranger to humankind, among all cultures, and is even a concept present in the world’s natural balance between different classifications of living organisms. Competition is linked to survival: some plants have thorns to protect themselves, herbivores tend to be very aware and fast, and carnivores are cunning and vicious. The biggest variable between the world and humankind, however, is that the natural world tends to maintain a balance of sorts despite the competition. Humans tend to compete and win, take without balance and achieve a greater glory amongst everything else. Thus, competition is inherently unfair, especially within the realms of humanity. "Harrison Bergeron," a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut in 1961, demonstrates a world without competition and without advantage. A world that undoubtedly reflects the looming popularity of communism in the world at the time, particularly the USSR, and the tension between them and the United States during the Cold War. But, this story is not one of the USSR, or during the Cold War. Rather, it is set during 2081 in the United States. And, it is more relevant now than ever. The fight for equality gains strength with every upcoming year, and with it is the disapproving onlookers that say too equal is too much. "Harrison Bergeron" helps identify what equality does not mean in regards to creating a better society for humankind: equality does not mean making everyone identical under the same identical standards. By understanding "Harrison Bergeron’s" commentary of communism and equality given not only the historical context but also that of today, we can take one step closer to defining equality among people for a better and happier society.

To first understand the intended message of "Harrison Bergeron," it is helpful to have some knowledge on Kurt Vonnegut’s past, and how it may have affected his written compositions. With most of Vonnegut’s childhood taking place in the aftermath of the Great Depression, his family lost their wealth. Despite the harsh times, Vonnegut continued schooling. However, after his grades in college began to dwindle, he enlisted in the military. Right before getting deported, Vonnegut’s mother commits suicide on Mother's Day, and he is eventually captured as a prisoner of war. Even after marrying and finishing schooling, Vonnegut experienced family tragedies one after the other (Critical Insights: Slaughterhouse-Five, 338). During the time of writing "Harrison Bergeron," Vonnegut had also lost his father, his brother-in-law and his sister. This very well could have a big influence on his notably pessimistic writing style. More so, it could explain the very lackluster outcome of when Harrison strips himself of the societal limitations he was forced to bear, and when he danced beautifully with the ballerina that chose to be his queen. A beautiful scene was described, how they kissed the ceiling and promised a start of a new world, only to be shot down plainly and left dead. This may reflect on Vonnegut’s own experience with death, and how it seemed ever-present. It is a common theme throughout Vonnegut’s works that the female presence is often absent or taken away, such as the ballerina or even the absentmindedness of Hazel. Kathryn Hume found that Vonnegut’s past “memories of members of his family personalize and distort the archetypes” of familial figures (Hume, 434).

The unsettling negative portrayal of equality present in "Harrison Bergeron" also fits within the realm of Vonnegut’s pessimistic outlook. The handicaps that each citizen is required to have not only limits their capabilities to function, but also add an element of pain that those without the handicap do not receive. For instance, the transmitters that blare in the ears of those with high intelligence are intended to keep thoughts simple, as simple as everyone else’s. But rather than fairness, it seems more like a punishment that is inherently unequal. Those with a low IQ do not have to experience the painful noises, yet the others do. While trying to make both categories equal, they added an unspoken unfairness. Intelligence is hard to measure, as it can be defined in multiple ways. However, as "Harrison Bergeron" exemplifies, trying to create an equal standard between two different variants of people will always produce problems.

Education, especially with people K-12, is always looking to be bettered. But an ongoing issue is the fairness of standardized testing. Clare Fugate elaborates: No Child Left Behind intended to set a goal for the years 2013 and 2014 that all children should be proficient at a certain level in reading and math. Fugate illuminates the very important underlying issue, that a “one-size-fits-all" testing system for all children in school is unrealistic to the actual needs of children and unfair. Fugate compares NCLB’s plan to that of Vonnegut’s world in "Harrison Bergeron," and how trying to hold everyone accountable to meet the same exact standard is unequal in actuality (Fugate, 72). This is why, as Vonnegut might be trying to tell his readers, communism that was ever-present during the wartimes this was written in, works well only in a world that was already equal and fair. But, as stated prior, humans have a drive for competition and want unlike other species. This is the beauty in variety: where someone is strong and proud in one way, they may have shortcomings that allow others around them to shine with their own unique qualities. While competition will always require shortcomings, it also encourages hard work and a sense of identity. Here, perhaps, lies another underlying issue that equality doesn’t mean the same standard, it also can mean accepting diversity and just learning to let go prejudices. There is no need for transmitters and scrap metal if there is a general acceptance of variety and individuality.

Keeping in mind not only the past—when Vonnegut wrote this short story, but also the present and goals for diving into the future, helps us understand exactly what Vonnegut was warning society about. While Vonnegut received criticism for his pessimistic tone and the lack of standard metaphor and writing devices, it added a sense of individuality required to convey his messages. Written in another form, Vonnegut may have been unsuccessful in his goal. For even in the past and present, it may be wise not to romanticize reality in every aspect. It is stories like "Harrison Bergeron" that, in the way they are written so plainly, create an alarmingly real parallel to the real world. While this story may be in the year 2081 and exist in a fictional way that could not exist in real life, it is the message it conveys that makes it so alarmingly convincing.

While the fights against social inequality today are vastly different than they were in the decades that have passed, Vonnegut’s story makes it clear that the definition of equality and what that really means for a utopian society is still a work-in-progress that may never actually be finished. Equality is something that, undoubtedly, most people want. However, what that actually means and how this goal can be achieved in a real world setting outside of fiction or theory is still a challenge that we face as a nation. Letting these questions facilitate the reading and understanding of "Harrison Bergeron," and Vonnegut’s other works, helps work towards the unclear future. Of course, how Vonnegut describes it via squawking and hundreds of pounds of weights, does not exist to demonstrate what the future holds. It, instead, teaches that equality does not necessarily mean equal. It means acceptance, and the understanding that nothing at all, can truly be equal. Only so, so close.