rewrite in 1 paragraph
In Flannery O'Connor's essay "Writing Short Stories," she argues that characters
cannot be fully understood unless they are placed within a social context. O'Connor believes that the
way characters interact with their society helps to explain and develop their thoughts, words, and
actions. This can be seen in the story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, where the social context
plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their motivations. "Harrison Bergeron" is set in a
dystopian society where the government enforces equality by handicapping individuals who have
exceptional abilities or beauty. The social context in this story is crucial in understanding the characters
and the choices they make. For example, the protagonist, Harrison Bergeron, is a highly intelligent and
athletic teenager who is forced to wear heavy physical handicaps to suppress his abilities. The society's
obsession with equality is what drives Harrison to rebel against the system and try to overthrow it. The
social context in "Harrison Bergeron" provides a vivid setting by highlighting the extreme measures
taken by the government to enforce equality. The story describes how individuals are weighed down by
physical handicaps such as weights, masks, and earpieces that disrupt their thoughts. This grim and
oppressive setting emphasizes the absurdity of the society and creates a sense of tension and urgency.
Furthermore, the social context helps to explain and develop the characters' thoughts, words, and
actions. Alongside Harrison, the other characters in the story are also affected by the social system.
George, Harrison's father, is burdened by a mental handicap radio that emits intermittent sharp noises
to disrupt his thoughts. This handicap prevents him from fully expressing himself and leads to his passive
acceptance of the government's rules. The social context explains George's reluctance to rebel and his
fear of the consequences. Likewise, the social context influences the actions of the other characters. For
instance, Harrison's mother, Hazel, does not have any significant handicaps, but she is unable to fully
comprehend the gravity of the situation due to her average intelligence. Her inability to fully understand
the consequences of her son's rebellion is a direct result of the society's suppression of individuality.
Thus, the social context explains her passive reaction and lack of action. The relationship between the
social context and characters is reciprocal in "Harrison Bergeron." The characters' actions and
motivations are a product of the society they inhabit, while at the same time, the characters' choices
and rebellions challenge the societal norms and advocate for individuality. The story demonstrates how
the characters' thoughts, words, and actions are shaped by the social context, but also how the
characters, particularly Harrison, can work against the oppressive system. In conclusion, Flannery
O'Connor's assertion that the social context is essential in understanding characters is exemplified in
"Harrison Bergeron." The extreme measures taken by the government to enforce equality provide a
vivid setting and create tension. The social context also explains and develops the characters' thoughts,
words, and actions, illustrating how the characters are influenced by their society. Overall, the
interaction between the social context and characters in "Harrison Bergeron" not only provides a vivid
setting but also helps to explain and develop the characters