Question

In the story Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr, with whom do you think Vonnegut sympathizes with? Does he present Harrison as a hero or is this a heroless story? explain?

Answer 1

Vonnegut does not necessarily present Harrison as a hero in the story, but rather as a symbol of rebellion against oppressive societal norms. Vonnegut seems to sympathize more with the idea of individuality and freedom of expression, rather than a specific character. He criticizes the dystopian society where everyone is forced to be equal and any form of excellence or uniqueness is suppressed.

Harrison's actions can be seen as heroic in the sense that he refuses to conform to the rules enforced by the government and chooses to rebel, even if it ultimately leads to his demise. However, Vonnegut does not explicitly label him as a hero, but rather as a tragic figure who fights against a system that suppresses individuality.

Overall, the story can be seen as heroless in the traditional sense, as none of the characters are portrayed as unequivocal heroes. Instead, Vonnegut presents a bleak and satirical portrayal of a society that values conformity over individuality.