Harrison Bergeron Quotes From the Science Fiction Short Story

If you enjoy science fiction, then check out these Harrison Bergeron quotes.

Harrison Bergeron is a dystopian science fiction short story by author Kurt Vonnegut.

The short story was first published in 1961 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

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The short story’s plot takes place in 2081 when amendments to the Constitution declare that all Americans must be fully equal in looks, physical capabilities, and intelligence.

Agents called Handicapper Generals enforce these laws by giving “handicaps” to individuals above average in any area.

For those that are too beautiful, they are forced to wear masks; for those that are too smart, they are forced to wear earpiece radios that disrupt thoughts; and for those that are strong or athletic, they are forced to carry heavy weights.

Take a look at these Harrison Bergeron quotes to learn more about the short story.

The Best Harrison Bergeron Quotes

Take a look at some of the best Harrison Bergeron quotes.

1. “Forget sad things.” — Kurt Vonnegut

2. “That dance—it was nice.” — Kurt Vonnegut

3. “He tried. That’s the big thing.” — Kurt Vonnegut

4. “They leaped like deer on the moon.” — Kurt Vonnegut

5. “‘I am the Emperor!’ cried Harrison.” — Kurt Vonnegut

6. “Nobody was smarter than anybody else.” — Kurt Vonnegut

7. “I forget … Something real sad on television.” — Kurt Vonnegut

8. “The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal.” — Kurt Vonnegut

9. “‘Who knows better’n I do what normal is?’ said Hazel.” — Kurt Vonnegut

10. “George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn’t be handicapped.” — Kurt Vonnegut

Intriguing Harrison Bergeron Quotes

Here are some intriguing Harrison Bergeron quotes.

11. “They were equal every which way.” — Kurt Vonnegut

12. “‘It’s all kind of mixed up in my mind,’ said Hazel.” — Kurt Vonnegut

13. “A buzzer sounded in George’s head. His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm.” — Kurt Vonnegut

14. “It was such a doozy that George was white and trembling, and tears stood on the rims of his red eyes.” — Kurt Vonnegut

15. “He tried to do the best he could with what God gave him. He should get a nice raise for trying so hard.” — Kurt Vonnegut

16. “Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldn’t think about anything except in short bursts.” — Kurt Vonnegut

17. “All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.” — Kurt Vonnegut

More Harrison Bergeron Quotes

Enjoy more Harrison Bergeron quotes.

18. “He winced. There was the sound of a riveting gun in his head.” — Kurt Vonnegut

19. “Shall we show the people the meaning of the word dance? Music!” — Kurt Vonnegut

20. “‘That was a real pretty dance, that dance they just did,’ said Hazel” — Kurt Vonnegut

21. “Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else.” — Kurt Vonnegut

22. “Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.” — Kurt Vonnegut

23. “And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times.” — Kurt Vonnegut

24. “’Harrison Bergeron, age fourteen,’ she said in a grackle squawk, ‘has just escaped from jail, where he was held on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government.’” — Kurt Vonnegut

25. “They were burdened with sash-weights and bags of birdshot, and their faces were masked, so that no one, seeing a free and graceful gesture or a pretty face, would feel like something the cat drug in.” — Kurt Vonnegut

What Happens In the Book?

Harrison Bergeron is a 14-year-old boy who is above average in looks, intelligence, and strength, so he is taken away by the government and forced into prison.

His parents are too controlled by their “handicaps” to notice he was taken.

He rebels and breaks out of prison to start a revolution, but the Handicapper General kills him.

Share these Harrison Bergeron quotes with your friends and family, and post any comments about the story in the comment section below.

Stephanie Kirby

Stephanie Kirby is a Lifestyle Writer at Everyday Power and the Founder of Rising River Marketing. She is also experienced in SEO and WordPress. As a freelance writer, she has helped create content that will position business owners as an authority in their markets while providing valuable content for their readers. The principal areas of work include content surrounding mental health, leadership and personal development, and small business growth. She enjoys partnering with therapists and coaches to help them connect with clients online and better the world by helping people.She understands that customer service is a key component in growing your business. Focusing on the minor details and ensuring that the customer or reader has an excellent experience is paramount to success. She strives to carry those details into every aspect of businesses, including any content she creates.