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In the world of “Harrison Bergeron,” the U.S. government requires all Americans with any above-average quality (strength, intelligence, beauty, etc.) to wear a handicapping device at all times. Designed to ensure that all Americans are perfectly equal, the handicapping devices are visual symbols of the power of the totalitarian government, and they demonstrate the perverse underbelly of valuing equality above all else: enforced equality leads to the suppression of individuality, the disfigurement and torture of innocent people for their innate qualities, and the forced mediocrity and terror. The prevalence of handicapping devices shows the intrusion of government into the private lives of citizens, as well as the cruelty and malfeasance of a government that forces its citizens to be in constant physical discomfort in order to prevent them from accessing their natural gifts. Furthermore, the result of these handicaps—that nobody can focus on thoughts, be considered beautiful, cultivate talents, or differentiate themselves from others in any way—is a society that is thoroughly mediocre. The arts have languished, professionals are not rewarded for being good at their jobs, and individuals lack interests or defined personalities. Not coincidentally, this mediocrity makes it easier for the government to consolidate and enforce its power. Since the handicapping devices are emblematic of the ideology of this dystopian society, as well as visual symbols of the government’s power, Harrison’s destruction of his handicap devices on live TV is a public act of dissent against the totalitarian government. The symbolism of his dissent is so dangerous to the status quo that he is publicly executed for his behavior.
Handicap Devices Quotes in Harrison Bergeron
The Harrison Bergeron quotes below all refer to the symbol of Handicap Devices. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Harrison Bergeron Quotes
George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn't be handicapped. But he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts.
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As George watches the ballet, he can’t help but notice how the dancers’ handicaps inhibit their performance and his thoughts begin wandering towards a critique of absolute equality as it exists under the HG’s rule. However, this critique is interrupted before it begins when George’s mental handicap device interrupts his thoughts. The noise coming through George’s radio exemplifies the powerful interrelation between governmental authority, national media, and ideology which ultimately prevent citizens from being able to form dissenting opinions or even having minor criticisms of the status quo. In this quote, while George has a flicker of recognition that equality Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur molli
“The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?” If Hazel hadn't been able to come up with an answer to this question, George couldn't have supplied one. A siren was going off in his head. “Reckon it'd fall all apart,” said Hazel.
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This exchange of dialogue occurs just after Hazel suggests that George rest his physical handicaps while they’re home alone. Rather than take Hazel up on her offer, George instead chides her for suggesting that he break the law, reminding her, in this quote, how the order of society depends on the law of forced equality. Still, given the absurd, over-the-top laws that require citizens to hamper their minds and bodies for the sake of “equality,” George’s response to Hazel’s suggestion reveals the extent to which citizens in “Harrison Bergeron” become diligent subjects of the Handicapper General’s authority. As George reminds Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut
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Handicap Devices Symbol Timeline in Harrison Bergeron
The timeline below shows where the symbol Handicap Devices appears in Harrison Bergeron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Harrison Bergeron
...very hard and George, who has above-average strength and intelligence, must wear mental and physical handicaps at all times. While George and Hazel watch television, George’s thoughts are frequently interrupted by...
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...like “something the cat drug in” by comparison. However, an interruption coming from his mental handicap prevents his pursuit of this thought. As George reacts to the invasive noises, two of...
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Noticing that her husband looks tired, Hazel suggests that he rest his physical handicap (a canvas bag filled with heavy lead balls, padlocked to his neck) on the sofa,...
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...“held on suspicion of overthrowing the government.” He is described as an extremely dangerous and under-handicapped genius and athlete. Harrison’s photo appears on-screen. He is seven feet tall, and his body...
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...on-screen. Harrison declares himself Emperor and proceeds to destroy all of his mental and physical handicaps “like wet tissue paper” in front of the television cameras. He then calls for an...
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...who die before they hit the ground. She then instructs the musicians to put their handicaps back on or face a similar fate. The scene is cut short when the Bergerons’...
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...sad things,” and Hazel replies, “I always do.” The exchange is interrupted by George’s mental handicap device, which transmits the sound of a “riveting gun.” The story ends with Hazel’s comment...
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