What message does Kurt Vonnegut convey through the satire “Harrison Bergeron,” and how do the characters develop this message?

Answer and Explanation:

Through his satire "Harrison Bergeron", Kurt Vonnegut conveys the message that forcing equality onto people is ineffective. It does not lead to true, real equality.

The story is set in America, in the year 2081. The government forces anyone whose beauty, intelligence, or physical strength, for instance, is superior in any way. The characters must use handicaps that take away their "advantages". Harrison's father, an intelligent man, is forced to use something that prevents him from thinking clearly. Harrison himself is forced to wear several different types of handicaps since he handsome, strong and intelligent.

However, it is clear that people are not happy. They lead an average life, never being able to do much, never exploring their full potential. In the end, when Harrison defies the government, he is killed.

Vonnegut shows that real equality does not come forcefully. Acceptance and tolerance should be the key for equality, not impositions or prohibitions.

his tongue, i believe, was bloody and hanging out of his mouth.

he looked as if he were hungry.

he has several wolf-like qualities; a gray coat, sharp claws and yellow fangs.

those eyes made me feel, dear reader, like the end was near.

as i reached for a stick, he moved to the other side of the hill.

panting and hungry, he looked at me, a defenseless human and he snarled.

well i said my prayers, however, he simply turned and limped off.