Describe Harrison's Handicaps What purpose do they serve?

Answer 1

Harrison's Handicaps, from Kurt Vonnegut's short story "Harrison Bergeron," are physical and mental impediments imposed on individuals to ensure absolute equality in a dystopian society. For instance, intelligent characters wear mental handicap radios that disrupt their thoughts, while physically gifted individuals are burdened with weights or masks to diminish their abilities. These handicaps serve the purpose of eliminating any advantages, thereby enforcing a superficial sense of equality that ultimately undermines individuality and excellence. The story critiques the extreme measures taken to achieve equality at the cost of personal freedom and human potential.