Question

When Harrison Bergeron is completely free from his handicaps, he defies the laws of gravity and motion. What might Vonnegut be suggesting about the potential of free human beings?

Answer 1

Answer:

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. suggests that a man free of any restrains have the potential of defying the government.

Explanation:

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. wrote his short story "Harrison Bergeron" based on a dystopian society where in the name of equality, people are intentionally mad 'handicapped'. The protagonist of the story Harrison was a man of exceptional qualities but he had to wear disguises so that he can be equal with the rest.

This story is a sort of political metaphor that seems to suggest what will happen when people actually break free from the shackles of governmental controls. Harrison also broke free of his disguises and proclaims himself to be "Emperor", trying to free the others of their "handicaps". The "Empress" ballerina, the musicians and the others in the television studio all had handicaps on them too, which Harrison began to tear apart. But in the end, Harrison and his "Empress" were killed by the Handicapper General, Dina Moon Glampers.

When Harrison took hold of control over the government's "equality" disguise, he was able to free some of their "handicaps". This momentary short lived freedom is suggestive of a person's ability to defy the government. But then, some freedoms don't last long and the restrain continues.