Summary

"Harrison Bergeron" is a short story set in the year 2081. It takes place in the United States of America, in the living room of George and Hazel Bergeron. This is a time when the 211^th, 212^th, and 213^th amendments to the Constitution have made equality the law. This means that all people are seen as equal in every way, in intelligence, in beauty, in athleticism, and in talent.

People who seem to be above average in any area are given handicaps by the United States Handicapper General. These handicaps are forms of physical handicaps that are placed upon the individuals in order to bring them down to an average level. For example, a strong man may be given a forty-seven pound bag of birdshot to wear around his neck. Those who have above average intelligence are given little radio transmitters that...