Every single day, people make choices, some of these choices make an impact on society, where other choices just fall through the cracks and no one cares or listens. Many choices are made by the protagonists in “Harrison Bergeron”, “The Lottery” and The Hunger Games. However, some of the protagonists make their choices and decisions felt, but others just do not get the main ideas across. “Harrison Bergeron” is the story of a utopian society that has all of their people handicapped to make everybody equal. One person, Harrison Bergeron, is taken to prison as a young boy because he was plotting to overthrow the government, however he breaks out of prison to take over, but gets shot by the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers. “The Lottery” is a story of a society that holds an annual lottery to select someone to get stoned to death. In this years lottery people have been talking about how other villages have stopped doing them, but this village’s lottery still goes on, and in the end it ends up costing an average housewife, Tessie Hutchinson, her life. Lastly, The Hunger Games directed by Gary Ross, is the story of a utopian society called Panam, that holds an annual Hunger Games, where two children from each district fight to the death to pay for the rebellion and destruction of district thirteen. When selecting the children to represent each district, Katniss volunteers as tribute because her younger sister Prim had gotten selected. The choices that these characters make are hoped to change society, but only one of them successfully changed society. Harrison Bergeron’s decisions throughout the story “Harrison Bergeron” end up not making an impact on the society that he had lived in before his death. After Harrison broke out of his jail cell, he proceeded to the studio where the ballet is held on television and shouts, “I am the Emperor! Everyone must do what I say at once!” (Vonnegut 5). His goal to take over the government, actually did not affect society other than striking fear into the people. Also, his hopes of gaining support from the society does not happen, mainly because everybody still has their handicaps on so they forget why he is even on the television after his escape. Also his actions are
In the novel, The Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins is a dystopian young adult book that is based in Panem that is divided into twelve districts. Each year the districts have to send a boy and a girl into an arena to fight to the death. The novel’s protagonist is Katniss, who lives in the poorest district. Katniss makes the audience think of the important ideas of bravery, societal class and love.
What makes a hero? Is Harrison Bergeron a hero? Harrison does make up a hero. Harrison Bergeron is a 14 year old boy, son of George and Hazel Bergeron. George, the father, had a metal handicap radio in his ear required by the government to wear at all times to shock him every twenty second or so.
Harrison Bergeron’s revolt against the oppressive government is acceptable as it shows the need for individuality as well as independence. To begin, Harrison’s rebellion against the government demonstrates the desire for individuality. Acting as a cry for help, Harrison declares. “‘Even as I stand here. “Crippled, hobbled, sickened–I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived.
In the text, Harrison says," ...Now watch me become what I can become! " He then starts to dance with the ballerina, which makes the people see how free they look and feel. Furthermore, the people might want to feel free just like Harrison appears to be. What I mean is that the audience might realize that their life can be much better without handicaps and join Harrison in his fight for true freedom and equality. Basically, what Harrison Bergeron did could cast a realization upon the society and make them be convinced that life without handicaps is much better. Overall, the way Bergeron attracted the audience's attention, he could be considered a
Harrison Bergeron might be considered a hero by some, but in the end, he is a danger to society. When Harrison faces the government he has more in mind than only disabling the handicaps that everyone bears. ‘“I am the Emperor,’ cried Harrison. ‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once”’ (Vonnegut 142-143). Harrison
Harrison Bergeron starts to believe he is better than everyone else, which makes him a threat to society. At the end of the story Harrison starts screaming from the T.V, "I am the Emperor. Do you hear? I am the Emperor." Harrison thinking he is the 'Emperor' leads you to think he is starting to realize his gifts. He is using these special gifts as a reason to stand up and become 'Emperor'. Thinking of being higher than others makes Harrison a threat to society because he is letting this get to his head, and making him think he is better because of his intelligence, than everyone else in society.
The reason individuals carry out the actions which associate us with and from other people is determined by the society we live in; it is absolutely the case with Katniss Everdeen, George Bergeron, and Tessie Hutchinson. George Bergeron from “Harrison Bergeron”, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., explores how the government can manipulate people’s typical life by the use of government regulated handicaps. Tessie Hutchinson from “The Lottery”, by Shirley Jackson, shows how basic traditions have a toll on individuals no matter how good or bad. Finally, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross demonstrates how the government can control and restrict people’s choice in society. “Harrison Bergeron”, “The Lottery", and The Hunger Games show
In the movie and short story Harrison Bergeron, the characters live in a much different world than the one we live in. In Harrison Bergeron, the American government was overthrown for the purpose of removing competition. This mean everybody gets paid the same, their grades have to be average, but most importantly, they have to wear bands on their heads that protect them from thinking ideas that conflict the government. Despite this, Harrison Bergeron excels in all his classes and begins to question his everyday life. Eventually he learns that the people that work for the government don’t wear bands and are allowed to compete freely. After hearing fascinating music and seeing beautiful art, he realizes that the people living in America are missing competition as an important part of their lives, and he tries to rebel. All of this matters because throughout the story, Harrison seems to be the only person rebelling. The reason for this is because people are only comfortable in their own shell, and never want to leave their comfort-zone if it means their world could change. So my question is this: Why is Harrison the only person with different ideas, and what makes people like Harrison act out?
Dystopian literature adheres to certain conventions; the theme of a dystopian future typically encompasses a severely repressed society, with socio-political dysfunction and class stratification. Themes of surveillance, censorship and personal independence have been established by authors such as George Orwell, and are recurrent throughout 2008 novel “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, although Orwellian dystopia and conceived ideas of freedom are juxtaposed in an intriguing fashion. “The Hunger Games” revolves around the notion of the various districts of Panem offering in tribute one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice, Panem being the nation that was established during an unknown period of time, and the pageant of honor being the barbaric means of controlling its citizens. Whilst more recent dystopian literature derives heavily from Orwellian conventions in some respects, it arguably differs greatly in others, redefining to an extent the genre.
Harrison Bergeron crowns himself emperor, defying the totalitarian government and glorifying himself. For instance, Harrison storms into the T.V. studio and cries, “‘I am the Emperor!’. . .‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everyone must do as I say at once!’” (Vonnegut 3). By stating he is the emperor, Harrison proves that he believes he is the most powerful man in the society. His desire to subjugate people is also apparent; he considers his strength and dominance exceptional over others. Moreover, he continues his spiel at the studio, bellowing “‘even as I stand here. . .crippled, hobbled, sickened-- I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived!’” (4). Harrison’s bold claim of his own greatness is an explicit exhibition of the admiration he holds for himself. His outburst is utterly devoid of humbleness; he spews immense confidence and certainty. Harrison’s self assured attitude
Best-selling author Brandon Sanderson once said, “Sometimes the prize is not worth the costs. The means by which we achieve victory are as important as the victory itself”. Directed by Gary Ross, The Hunger Games explores a dystopian future ruled by a totalitarian government who inflicts fear and control on the Districts through the annual gladiator-like events of The Hunger Games. Through Oscar award-winner Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of protagonist Katniss Everdeen, Ross explores the conflict of power between the government and the people, different social classes, and the sacrifices of the people to manipulate the audience’s perspectives on the barbarism of The
In the history of cinema, most movies involving a hero 's journey involve mostly the same plot; man gets a call, goes on a journey, gets in a battle or two, and saves the helpless woman from some evil source. The Hunger Games has the same plot as other hero films, but takes a complete turn on the actor encompassing the hero. The hero in this film is a Katniss Everdeen, a poor girl from a dystopian society. In this film Katniss volunteers for her sister to be in the Hunger Games, which is an event where individuals are thrown into an arena where people from twelve districts fight each other to the death for entertainment. Katniss must win the hunger games and make it back to her family. Katniss eventually befriends Peta and they defeat all obstacles and win the Hunger Games together. The Hunger Games is a perfect example of a hero 's journey plot. It follows the steps that any hero journey movie would, including the call, crossing the threshold, a supreme ordeal, companions and mentors, a transformation and the end gift. This film encompasses the classic hero journey plot, with an exception of having a strong female lead instead of male.
Everyone must do as I say at once (Vonnegut 54)!!”. There are about two fourths of other countries that still live in a dystopian society today. The story Harrison Bergeron and the hungry games are considered an example of one of a dystopian because they basically are owned by an emperor or controlled by a government; they had to do as their ruler say or they could face serious consequences. “Struggling with depression” Harrison and the hungry games are both considered to be dystopian population because they are required to do as their leader say; and if not they could be put to death. I personally think there should not be any dystopian countries that still exist today because people don’t wouldn’t want to live being based on somebody controlling your life or telling you what to do.
The Hunger Games, the movie, was adapted from the popular young adult novel by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games is sometimes described as another cliche love story for which the young adult genre is infamous. Despite appearances, The Hunger Games illustrates a complex and creative dystopian world with a much deeper underlying message, including topics such as, politics, history, and celebrity worship. The setting appears to be a futuristic version of America. This future America is very classist, and the tyrannical government is sure to keep the classes divided by heavily oppressing the working class. The working class is divided into twelve districts, which used to be thirteen districts until the thirteenth district was annihilated as a result of its uprising. In response to the thirteenth district’s resistance, the President created a game called “The Hunger Games” in an effort to instill obedience in the remaining twelve districts. Through the course of the movie, we learn that “The Hunger Games” are not only a mechanism to force obedience on the working class, but also to serve as entertainment for the elite society who live in the Capitol. The Games require 24 randomly selected children from the working class districts to fight to the death in an elaborately staged battle, all of which is filmed and broadcasted to the entire nation, working class and elite alike. Thesis: The Hunger Games, the movie, has a hauntingly feasible storyline and clear references to real
The Hunger Games, the introductory novel in a trilogy book series written by author Suzanne Collins in 2008, is a young adult novel that surrounds a teenage girl named Katniss Everdeen in a futuristic tale of a teenager who defies all odds when they are stacked against her. She is shaken to the core with sacrifice, adversity and danger when she finds herself forced to compete in a televised series of games where there is only one survivor. Not only does she want to live, but she has an incredible sense of responsibility to her family that she’s left behind. The film based off of the best selling novel, also entitled, “The Hunger Games,” premiered in March 2012. Director Gary Ross does a great job of incorporating the plot, setting and