Dear Diary,

It has been a beautiful night. Tonight my father threw a party. I was supposed to meet Paris and see if I wanted to marry him. Things went quite differently. I met a man by the name of Romeo Montague. I knew from the moment our hands touched, that we were destined to love each other. I am quite concerned with this new blossoming love though. Romeo is the son of my family's sworn enemy. If our families were to find out I do not know what they would do. It seems my life has been in slow motion up until now. We are moving so fast it is making my head spin. I wanted to play hard to get. Unfourtunately as luck would have it, he overheard me talking to myself. I was proclaiming my love of him to the stars when he jumped out of the bushes. I asked him to prove his love to me through marriage. I am now waiting for my nurse to come back with the news.

Romeo 

"Harrison Bergeron"

Harrison Bergeron

Lauren C                                                                                                                                                                  March 6 2013

        There are differences and similarities between the short story “Harrison Bergeron” and the movie Harrison Bergeron. Differences in the details of the movie are frequent which is commonplace with movie adaptions. The major differences are found in the use of symbolism. Despite the larger number of differences between the movie and story, the similarities are prevalent. These similarities are in the setting, the method employed by those in power to enforce their laws, and Harrison’s stance on his society. 

The movie and short story version of Harrison Bergeron have differences. The biggest differences are found in the usage of symbols in the book and the lack of them in the movie. Harrison’s traits are not used as tokens in the movie though they are used in the story. In “Harrison Bergeron”, Harrison is portrayed as tall, athletic, handsome and a genius. These are all the traits that are taken away by the government. He represents all forms of achievement that the government wants to minimize. Another difference is in the use of metal handicapper noises as symbols. In the original narrative, Harrison’s father wears a metal handicap radio in his ear. The radio transmits sounds to scatter his thoughts. As the action in the story grows, so does the intensity of the government transmitter’s noises. It starts out with a simple buzzer. It progresses to a milk bottle being hit by a hammer then climaxes to a 21 gun salute. The increased violence of these sounds symbolizes the increasing violence in the story. At the end, the sound of a riveting gun went off in George’s head. This sound symbolized Harrison being shot by the Handicapper General. These strategies of symbolism are not present in the movie. This shows that the movie and story versions are not identical. 

Nonetheless there are similarities between the two works that are predominant over their differences. In both versions the setting is a dystopian society. It is a future society where everyone is expected to be equal. No one is allowed to overachieve. There are various handicapping devices in place to make sure that does not happen. Dire consequences are the fate of those who do deter from the norm. In both, people conform to the ideal of being “average”. They allow any special ability they possess to be masked. In this society they have accepted the way of life that has been chosen for them. This of the life of the mundane and it lacks human character. The danger of total equality is the message in both versions. As well, a method to keep the masses in line is present in both. This is the usage of television by those in power to enforce their laws and discourage anyone from defying them. In the book they broadcast warnings about Harrison.They say he is an extremely dangerous and an inadequately handicapped escapee. Despite their warnings of how dangerous he is, they show him in his full handicap. With his strength degenerated and his beauty hidden. They want to show that even though he is threat to them, they have control on him. In the movie, they periodically show executions of those who break even minor laws. Many of these shown executions are re-runs. They want people to watch for what they call the “deterrent value”. Both show the influence of television on the viewers’ perception of how to should act. Finally, Harrison’s opposition of the system and his ultimate death as a consequence are features in the two works. His brilliant mind sees the system as tyrannical and wrong. He revolts against the government and encourages others to do the same. He ends up dying for his cause. All together, both the story and its adaption show the theme of the hazards and instability of analogousness. They show the ways the government controls its people and show a defiant spark get put out. The short story and movie have much in common when it comes to theme and message. 

The semblances between “Harrison Begeron” and Harrison Bergeron outweigh their differences in meaning and importance. Admittedly there are differences in the employment of symbols. Nevertheless, Harrison’s stance on the oppressive society is the same. The message and theme are still there as well. This is the message of how total equality could spell the end of our human race. How the advantages of some make the race of life possible and may be what keeps us humans.