Harrison Bergeron is a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut in 1961 This story is set in a dystopian society where the government has imposed extreme measures of equality by forcing handicaps onto its citizens. The story follows the protagonist, Harrison Bergeron, and his journey as he defies the oppressive laws and attempts to overthrow the oppressive government that has been imposed on him.
The five best examples of persuasive essay topics related to Harrison Bergeron include:
1. The Implications of Forced “Equality”: This essay topic would explore the implications of the concept of enforced “equality” in the story, and how it affects society as a whole. How does this type of artificial “equality” create a lack of true equality and liberty?
2. Examining the Role of Government in Society: This essay topic would analyze the role of government in the story and its implications. How much power and control should a government have over its citizens’ lives? What are the ethical boundaries that governments should not cross in order to protect the rights of its citizens?
3. The Impact of Individualism on Society: This essay topic would explore the impact of individualism on society. How does the idea of individualism relate to the concept of a utopia? Can individualism be healthy and beneficial to a utopian society?
4. Analyzing the Character of Harrison Bergeron: This essay topic would examine the characterization of the titular character. What motivates him to challenge the oppressive government? What does his journey represent in terms of individualism, liberty, and justice?
5. Exploring the Relationship Between Oppression and Rebellion: This essay topic would analyze the relationship between oppression and rebellion in the story. How does oppression lead to rebellion? How does oppression affect the way people think and act in the story?