Physically, Harrison Bergeron is a very impressive specimen. Strong, good-looking, and extremely tall for his age, Harrison is blessed with a naturally athletic physique. He's not too shabby in the brains department, either. Harrison takes after his father in that he's a highly intelligent young man with the capacity to think deeply about the world around him.
Unfortunately, Harrison's brain and brawn are considered dangerous in this radically egalitarian society. Under the dictatorial rule of Diana Moon Glampers, everyone must be completely equal. This means that those blessed with physical and/or intellectual superiority are forced to wear handicaps that drag them down to the same general level of mediocrity as everyone else.
In Harrison's case, this means having to wear weights to curb his natural athleticism. He's also lumbered with large headphones that emit white noise at regular intervals to stop him from thinking; massive, outsize spectacles that impair his vision; and a red rubber ball for a nose and black caps on his teeth that make him look deeply unattractive.
However, despite the best efforts of the regime, Harrison's spirit cannot be broken. He's a romantic, adventurous soul, and it comes as no surprise when Harrison escapes from prison, casts off his handicaps, declares himself Emperor, and dances with a ballerina on live national TV. When all's said and done, Harrison has the soul of an artist, and it is this, more than anything else, that allows him to enjoy his all-too-brief taste of freedom. The artistic soul, in all its creative, imaginative depth, is ultimately impervious to any attempt by the Handicapper General to break it.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Describe the character of Harrison in terms of both his physical qualities and his personality traits.
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