Use of satire in 'Harrison Bergeron'- Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Kurt Vonnegut's story 'Harrison Bergeron' is a typical science fiction tale which depicts the equality in society in the year 2081. In this story, there are many examples of satire to create dark humour comments and opinions about this view of finally reaching equality. 
One of the first ways in which Vonnegut uses satire is by informing the reader about the "211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution..." Here, Vonnegut informs the reader of how idiotic the 'quest' for equality has been up until the year 2081 where the story is set. The fact that he says that there are at least 213 Amendments in the United States, makes them seem like a 'joke' by the fact that they are depicted as being extremely easy to change. Overall, in the Constitution there are only 10 Amendments, but in this futuristic world which Vonnegut has created there is an exaggerated amount which only comes to show how much the American system has changed by finally reaching equality. 

Another example is indicated by serious exaggeration. This is achieved by the description of Harrison Bergeron himself; described as being "a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous." By exaggerating the description of Harrison making him seem like a young, perfect and strong character, Vonnegut is not only showing the reader how unfair to Harrison this equality business must be, but also by using him as a symbol; this showing that there will always be a person or an opposing force in the world, trying to somehow 'save' the world and humanity. However, with this opposing force, Vonnegut also attributes a counter force which in this story is represented by "Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General." who had succeeded in making everybody equal.

There is also some irony behind this story. The fact that everyone is supposed to be equal, is a little unbalanced when Harrison is mentioned. I say this because when they are describing him, he is categorised as being extremely dangerous. Surely, this would make him different from others who have long been restrained by this and have accepted the world in which they live in.
 Ironical is also the fact that these handicaps that Harrison had been forced to use which are supposed to make him weaker, have actually the opposite effect on him. I believe that it was these handicaps that made Harrison stand up to the government so publicly and to try to save somehow the little humanity which still existed. 


{PS: I have just recently stumbled upon this blog again after 6 years of its conception. Please be aware that this was written by a 16 year old who had just started her English Literature journey. Having said this, I hope that this post might still be useful to some of you who are still accessing it today. I wish you all the best of luck with your academic journey. xoxo}