In our English class we have been discussing equality and the idea of social standings and utopia.

 

We studied this story - Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut

Some points from my discussion:

 

"Would the society in the story Harrison Bergeron be considered a utopian society? Would a utopian society be a place of happiness?

 

Angelfire.com describes a utopia as a place of ideal perfection in all aspects of existence.

The way in which every person thinks of every other person in the same way means that nobody would ever be judged poorly based on looks, talent, characteristics etc. This is a strong example of utopia. Depending on the person, this would be considered a place of happiness, saying that happiness can be found in a utopian society.

In conclusion I believe that this is not a utopia, based on reasons I have already stated. For one thing everybody in the story is not equal in the first place, there are higher social statuses such as the Handicapper General who enforces the law. Also if everybody was, I would not consider this a perfect world. Is it paradise if you have to obey many rules and have a device in your ear screaming every 20 seconds? Utopia can not and never will or should be achieved because if it did it would never be perfect for everybody, it is not possible for one person to have eternal happiness and everyone else as well. It could not be a functioning society. If everybody is equal, everybody is not equal because someone is always going to protest. Utopia is a large concept that everybody may fantasise about but is it really that great?"

 

I think I'm tryin to bite more than I can chew but oh well.

So what do you think about Utopia?

It is indeed impossible!!!!!! Eternal happiness is impossible,it would be like one of those paradises where everything is controlled,and ppl would eventually be unhappy,b/c it is not possible to make everyone happy....kinda weird!!!!

If you read the story it sort of is paradise in a way, because they have no troubles, but that is obviously because they are brainwahsed.

Well yes,but if they are brainwashed,how can it be paradise????

they don't know they are brainwashed, so they are happy :blank:

thats true i guess.......

I just realised that Utopia is, in some people's point of view eternal happiness, yet other people would prefer not to have eternal happiness, so they have a different perception of utopia.

In other words I'm tryin to tell people this isn't exactly the same as the eternal happiness thread.

Utopia is very very boring...Ppl are like zombies,their brains are empty,no real feelings,everything is so right and clear...I really dont wanna live in this kind of society.Besides,as we know from many movies,in such societies one day everything turns upside down and ppl just vanish:vanish: