2081, The Film (HD) - Based on "Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut

Summary

In a future society where total equality is enforced through constitutional amendments and the efforts of the Handicapper General, no one is superior to anyone else in any way. Individuals wear handicaps to ensure this equality—weights for the strong, earpieces to limit intelligence, and masks for the beautiful. The story follows Harrison Bergeron, a brilliant and athletic young man who defies this oppressive system. After escaping custody, he dramatically announces his intent to break free from conformity, showcasing his defiance and the extraordinary spirit the government seeks to crush. Ultimately, the broadcast is cut, but the story ends with a poignant, melancholy moment as society continues to live in enforced mediocrity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is set in 2081, a time when absolute equality has been achieved through amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
• 😀 Equality in this society means that no one is smarter, stronger, more attractive, or more capable than anyone else.
• 😀 People wear handicaps, like weights or earpieces, to prevent them from exceeding others in intelligence, strength, or beauty.
• 😀 Even the beautiful wear masks in certain situations to avoid distracting others with their attractiveness.
• 😀 The Handicapper General ensures that this enforced equality is maintained through constant monitoring and regulations.
• 😀 George and Hazel Bergeron’s son, Harrison, is taken away by the Handicapper General for being exceptional and non-compliant.
• 😀 Hazel, George's wife, seems distracted and weary, and shows signs of discontent with the limitations placed on her family.
• 😀 Breaking news interrupts a national ballet broadcast to announce Harrison Bergeron’s escape from custody.
• 😀 Harrison, a genius and an athlete, is considered extremely dangerous due to his under-handicapping and escape from prison.
• 😀 Harrison stages a dramatic public display in a theater, announcing his identity and challenging the oppressive system.
• 😀 The broadcast is interrupted again, and after some tension, Harrison's rebellious actions are thwarted by the authorities, but the impression of his defiance lingers.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution?

The 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution are responsible for establishing absolute equality in society by enforcing handicaps on people to limit their abilities, such as making the strong wear weights, the intelligent wear earpieces, and the beautiful wear masks, so that no one is better than anyone else.

What role does the Handicapper General play in the society described in the script?

The Handicapper General is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of equality, ensuring that everyone adheres to the handicaps that limit their abilities, whether physical, intellectual, or aesthetic. This official works to prevent any person from being 'better' than another in any way.

Why does the Bergeron family have handicaps?

The Bergeron family has handicaps because they live in a society that enforces absolute equality. George, being intelligent, wears a device that interferes with his thoughts, while Hazel, though not particularly intelligent, is unaffected but still required to live in a society of enforced mediocrity.

What is the importance of Harrison Bergeron's escape from custody?

Harrison Bergeron's escape is important because he is portrayed as a symbol of individual greatness, someone who has been suppressed by the government's effort to enforce equality. His escape and actions challenge the system, demonstrating the tension between conformity and freedom.

How does the society react to Harrison Bergeron’s escape and actions?

The society, through the authorities, reacts to Harrison's escape with alarm, labeling him a dangerous criminal due to his exceptional abilities. His actions, including hijacking a broadcast and declaring his defiance against the system, represent a rebellion against the enforced equality.

What is the significance of Harrison Bergeron’s declaration during the broadcast?

Harrison's declaration during the broadcast is significant because it reveals his defiance against a system that seeks to eliminate all forms of excellence. He claims to be the greatest man the world has never known, highlighting the absurdity of a society that stifles individual brilliance.

What does Harrison Bergeron mean by saying he is 'an exception to the excepted'?

By saying he is 'an exception to the excepted,' Harrison Bergeron is asserting that he is someone who does not conform to the enforced mediocrity of society. He is a person who stands out in terms of intelligence and physical abilities, yet is forced to be suppressed by the system.

How does the script illustrate the theme of individuality versus societal control?

The script illustrates the theme of individuality versus societal control through Harrison Bergeron's character. Despite the society's best efforts to suppress his extraordinary abilities, he refuses to be subdued, showing that human excellence cannot be entirely eradicated. His rebellion exposes the dangers of a society that sacrifices individuality for the sake of enforced equality.

What is the symbolic meaning of Harrison Bergeron’s physical appearance and actions in the broadcast?

Harrison's physical appearance, described as 'beaten, hobbled, and sickened,' symbolizes the oppressive nature of a society that seeks to suppress exceptional individuals. His actions during the broadcast, including removing his handicaps and declaring his defiance, symbolize a temporary reclamation of freedom and the human spirit's resilience against oppression.

How does the conversation between George and Hazel at the beginning of the script reflect the society they live in?

The conversation between George and Hazel at the beginning of the script reflects the numbness and complacency in a society where everyone is equalized. Hazel is largely unconcerned with deeper thoughts, while George struggles with his handicaps, showing that the system of enforced equality has led to a lack of meaningful personal reflection and a general acceptance of mediocrity.