UNIFORMITY AND DEFORMITY

Uniformity and Deformity

UNIFORMITY AND DEFORMITY

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of “uniformity and deformity” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Harrison Bergeron” and its relation with “uniformity and deformity”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “uniformity and deformity” and tries to gauge its effect on “future American society”.

Introduction

Kurt Vonnegut (November 11, 1922 - April 11, 2007) is considered as one of the most influential American writer of the twentieth century. Kurt Vonnegut in his work “Harrison Bergeron” has presented a view “uniformity and deformity” of the society where nobody is smarter, better looking, stronger or quicker than anybody else. The author has pursued a concept that uniformity of the society will eventually lead to deformity. Kurt Vonnegut has some outstanding work on his credit such as slaughter house -five, mother night, breakfast of champions, science fiction and black comedy. Kurt Vonnegut is also a well known for his humanist nature and belief's; he has also served as a president of the American humanist association. “Harrison Bergeron” is an ironic piece of work as the author has presented a sarcastic view on the uniformity and deformity of the society, it's a science fiction based short story written by Kurt Vonnegut first published in the year 1961. Originally the story was first published in the magazine of fantasy and science fiction; later on it was re-published in “welcome to the monkey house” author's collection in the year 1968.

Thesis Statement

It's a short story about an egalitarian government's policies affect citizens in a future American society, creating uniformity and ultimately deformity of the population.

Discussion

Kurt Vonnegut's short story can be education and instructive to those of us in gifted with an education. (Vonnegut, p.2)The story begin with the line “the year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal”. The story emphasize on the concept of equality and how the philosophy of uniformity eventually end up in the deformity. (Petterson, p.14)Kurt Vonnegut has successfully presented a scary view of the future, where everyone is going to be equal. The author presented a view of the society where nobody is smarter, better looking, stronger or quicker than anybody else.

“The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. (Vonnegut, p.2)Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General”.

The equality among the society was achieved by handicapping the most intelligent, most athletic and the most beautiful members of society and the handicapper general of the United States of America holds the responsibility to sustain social equality. (Vonnegut, p.3) In order to achieve the equality and uniformity in society the good looking people are going to wear ugly masks, smart ...