Harrison Bergeron Essay Example for Free

Harrison Bergeron Essay Kurt Vonneguts short story â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† is about a futuristic society where beauty is destroyed to create equality. It centers around the highest official, appropriately named, the General Handicapper. His only role to to seek out and find to people who are skilled, pretty, or good at sports and forced them to hide away these talents through masks and waits. It is through basic literary elements that Vonnegut creates and develops the theme that general conformity leads to the deformation of humanity. The short story begins in the future, The year was 2081† and Vonnegut immediately puts out the benefits of this futuristic society, stating â€Å"everybody was finally equal† and not just equal â€Å"before God† but in â€Å"every way† possible (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 7). Vonneguts description foreshadows what is to come in the novel and certainly this forced equality can only lead to a dangerous and potentially deadly ending. Conformity and the effects of uniformity is a common theme in the bulk of science fiction literature and Vonneguts short stories are no different. However, in â€Å"Harrison Bergergon† not just the theme of uniformity is explore but also the stripping away of humanity. This short story, the government forces everyone to be equal nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 7). Government agents force people who are beautiful to wear ugly masks and people who are thin are forced to carry around weights. The goal of all this control is to make sure that everyone has the same handicaps, the same features, and the same feelings. Even odder is that smart people were forced to wear radios which interfered with there brain functional creating a human society where everyone was equally stupid. By eliminating the the issues, which modern society still deals with, of racism, sexism, and discrimination based on looks, Vonneguts future society should be healthy and happy because everyone is the same. However, in the pursuit of equality the loss of humanity took place. Humanity is based on the idea of independence and individualism. The featured protagonist of this short story and namesake is Harrison Bergeron. He is a bright and friendly boy who has the most hated qualities in his society. He is intelligent, handsome, tall, and strong. Due to Harrisions features he is required to do several things to compensate for all his good quality. He is subject to radio noises which stops his concentration and focus. He has to carry hundreds of pounds of extra weight. He also have to wear sun glasses which gives him a head and he has to undergo surgery fort o make him ugly. While awaiting his surgery he escapes and takes over a news station. On air he takes off his handicaps and is revealed to society. When enters the station he is looks like a walking junk yard, required to wear a red rubber ball for a nose, keep his eyebrows shaved off, and cover his even white teeth with black caps at snaggle-tooth random ( Vonnegut, 1968, p. 21). He also meets up with a ballerina and she too casts off her imposed disabilities. When the couple dances they shrug off the law of gravity and the laws of motion as well, leaping to kiss the thirty-foot ceiling until finally they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling, and they kissed each other for a long, long time. It is then that Glampers enters with her shotgun† (Vonnegut, 1968, p.  22). Unfortunately both are killed by the General Handicapper. As a sub plot his parents are watching the news station but once everything is said and done they can not remember what has happened due their forced handicaps. Irony is another literary device that Vonnegut uses in this short story. Vonnegut comments on the look-ism which is apparent in American society. Vonnegut even appears cynical about what passes as average in America. Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldnt think about anything except in short bursts (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 20). The observation on the ballerinas continues the undercutting humor: They werent really very goodno better than anybody else would have been, anyway (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 20). Heavy irony emerges in the plodding Hazels missing the point, as when she sympathizes with the stuttering announcer for trying real hard to do his best or suggests George might remove some of his weights in the evenings. Compounding the irony she says, I think Id make a good Handicapper General. Good as anybody else, said George. The range of sounds and the comic brutality of their effect provides another source of comedy. One of Georges winces prompts Hazel to ask the cause. Sounded like somebody hitting a milk bottle with a hammer, he replies. Another sounds like a twenty-one gun salute that leaves George white and trembling and leaves two of the ballerinas on the floor clutching their temples. The final one is a riveting gun. GeeI could tell that one was a doozy, said Hazel. You can say that again, said George. Gee said HazelI could tell that one was a doozy. (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 41) Hazels stupid behavior and mindset symbolizes the dumbing down of America. In addition the television is equally symbolic. When this book was written, the television was now found in every home throughout the country. It became the way that people communicated and received news. Reading, literature, and human interaction decreased and was replaced by the mindless chatter of television shows and governmentally run news broadcasts. Hazels aversion to the old days when she could be made to feel like something the cat dragged in (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 22) obviously is not very persuasive The narration in â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† is also interesting. This is because the narration is third person, as if person is looking back on the events that just happened. Third person omnipresent is an interesting choice for narration because it allows the reader into the minds of all characters. For example Vonnegut reminds the readers, in third person narration Nobody can be in any way superior to anybody else, as guaranteed by the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of the agents of the United States Handicapper General (Vonnegut, 1968, p. 20). In particular, the motivations of each character which inspire their actions and words. â€Å"Harrison Bergeron† is a very unique short story because Vonnegut manipulates basic literary elements and creates a satire of American ideals and societal norms. Vonnegut is able too, in a tongue and cheek manner, show how the government can create a society which lacks humanity. A government that is left uncontrolled can exert such great power that it can destroy what makes human unique creatures on this planet. In doing so, people become mindless and vulnerable to the governmental propaganda that tells the citizens of a society that these rules are for their own good.

Evaluation of Police Officer Candidates Essay -- Selection of Law Enf

Workforce selection practices have become more prominent over the years, particularly with law enforcement recruitments. This enhanced use of process selection allows for more advanced methods of assessing police officers. One reason for this extreme emphasis on selection systems is the elimination of unqualified police recruit applicants, thus ensuring that monetary resources are not wasted on the ill-equipped (Cochrane., Tett., & Vandecreek, 2003). Several factors impact the potential success or failure of police recruits, including tertiary studies; efficient communication skills; previous moral and ethical behaviour and psychological adequacy of recruits. However, just two of the four selection criteria including tertiary studies, and personality suitability will be analysed and evaluated in this literary review. Higher educated police officers are better equipped to serve in today’s complex and challenging environment through greater awareness of social and cultural / ethnic community issues; promoting a more professional image of law enforcement, as well as exemplifying themselves as ‘problem solvers’ rather than ‘reactive agents’(Trfymowych, 2007, pg. 419). Likewise, psychological and personality suitability of employees allows for police officers to screen out psychopathology as well as Identify individuals who match some ‘ideal’ profile of high performing police. Therefore, this review aims to determine whether or not the selected criteria reviewed are valid for use in a police recruit selection process through a detailed evaluation of each criteria. As the role of a police officer is becoming more complex in the 21st century with the advances in social and technological developments, the need for tertiary studi... ...). Psychological testing and the selection of police officers. Criminal Justice and Behaviour, 30 (5), 511-537. Dempsey, J., & Forst, L. (2009). An Introduction to Policing. Cengage Learning, Canada. Metchik,E. (1999). Police Quarterly. An analysis of the â€Å"Screening Out â€Å" Model of Police Officer Selection, 2 (1), 79-95. Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2008). Healing Emotional and Psychological Trauma. In HelpGuide. Web 23 Apr. 2015. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/emotional_psychological_trauma.htm Trofymowych, D. (2007). Police Education Past and Present: Perceptions of Australian Police Managers and Academics. Flinders Journal of Law Reform, 8 (10), 419-433. Vrana, S., & Lauterbach, L. (1994). Prevalence of Traumatic Events and Post-Traumtic Psychological Symptoms in a Nonclinical Sample of College Students. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 7 (2), 289-302.

Beowulf’s Fame, Fate and Destiny in His Life

Beowulf was really a man who wanted to achieve a long lasting fame. The last words of the Anglo Saxon epic showed much tribute to his fame as it stated that he was the most enthusiastic man for praise. This is evidence that Beowulf did not only want to achieve fame but also he ensured that the fame is of adulatory kind. He struggled to achieve fame by engaging himself in extraordinary exploits which were much daring in contest and other heroic deeds. Hrothgar beheld the enormous arm of Grendel hanging from the steep roof of his great wall and praised Beowulf. Through this action, Beowulf earned fame throughout his kinship.Beowulf did everything that was possible to achieve fame. For instance, Beowulf was only looking for fame as he leaped into battle. He engaged himself in risk moments such as battles with the dragon with an aim of only gaining fame. He continually fought to gain more fame in his life. Despite the fact that Beowulf had fame, he kept fighting fruitfully in order to pr otect and keep his fame. He gave up his life only to receive fame for that particular minute. Nevertheless, during the fight with the dragon, Beowulf’s men ran away but he does not give up fighting and he remains alone (Breeden, 1).However, Beowulf died but his fame still remains up to date. Fame was highly desired and valued for the needs of the Anglo-Saxon’s crave to live forever. Beowulf was known as a very famous warrior and he achieved his fame when he sailed to the Danes to kill a monster who was murdering their people. During his fight with the dragon, he managed to kill Grendal, Grendal’s mother and a dragon. Every moment, he receives more fame and more glory. Fate in a person’s life occurs when that particular individual is often involved in a series of events that can lead to predictable death at some point or another.The main character in the poem Beowulf is very much moved by fate and it is this drive that they acknowledge his mortality as hum an a being. Despite the fact that the people had Christian or Pagans beliefs that may have been related to their individual view on fate, Beowulf seemed not to have any comportment on his conviction in fate. It is evidenced throughout the poem that, Beowulf fought evil demons with an aim of protecting his people (Breeden, 2). This generates a form of safety that would not have existed were it not for his great potency and audacity.In struggle to achieve fate as one main purpose in his life, Beowulf is involved in villainous dragon fight . This hero identified the fact that many of his actions are strongly ruled by his belief in fate and whatever might happen was meant to happen in his life. He controlled every move throughout his subjugations and victories. Beowulf predicted a likeness of himself in the warriors who have died in the wrath of the dragons. This is clearly evidenced during his speech with Hrothgar where he says that it is better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in b ereavement.He says that although his time may come to an end someday, his life will have been spent wisely fighting in battles, proclaiming his courage and living each day to his fullest latent. Beowulf achieved his fate when in a great fight is killed by the dragon and remained to be one of the greatest heroes. He dedicated his last breadth with an aim of saving his people from the ravages of a deadly monster. Beowulf lived in a feudal society as a warrior-king figure and he valued loyalty, strength and courage.Despite the fact that Beowulf never new the outcome of the fight with Grendel, he stated that fate goes ever fate and he had to fight with full strength to see the outcome. Additionally, he believed in the inevitability of fate. Beowulf’s society was ruled by kings and noblemen and therefore destiny was the most common indication of greatness in the society. It was mainly measured by investigating the heritage of a young man or a soldier. Beowulf’s fight with t he dragons and his dying words demonstrates his desire and much effort to achieve destiny as one of his main purpose in life.Beowulf was destined to take part in great acts of heroic magnitudes. The King Hrothgar recognized him as a man who was destined to be a great warrior in Denmark by the fact that the king knew his father (Breeden, 4). Therefore, Beowulf’s destiny is partly determined by his father’s accomplishment and bequest. The songs in the poem literally foreshadowed Beowulf’s predestined fate in life and battle. His dying words and wishes, for instance â€Å"fate swept us away, / sent my whole brave high-born clan/to their final doom/ now I must follow them† clearly show and explain how he was committed in the battle to achieve his destiny.His participation in the fight with the dragons shows how he believed his life is destined and fated to die during the fight so as to leave the terrestrial world and join the monarchy of the eternal. The grea t warrior always spoke of his death as his destiny. In the final moments of Beowulf’s life, there is a transition between the livings and finally eternal worlds transpire in the conqueror. Works Cited Breeden D. Beowulf. nd. Viewed, August 13 2010 from

The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Essay - 2169 Words

According to the Universal Declaration of Human rights there are rights that apply to all human beings: such as a right to life, liberty and security of person, the right to protection against discrimination, and the right to public service and medical care (General Assembly Resolution 217A). Article 25 specifically states: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control (General Assembly Resolution 217A article 25). While some may argue that undocumented immigrants are not denied access to medical services, research has shown the opposite. Access to healthcare is described as timely and proper use of health services in order to gain the best health outcome (Edward, 214). Current laws essentially force undocumented immigrants to wait until their medical condition is an emergency before a hospital will treat them, as emergency departments cannot deny treatment to any emergent condition based on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) (Berlinger Raghavan, 2013). Therefore, undocumented immigrants are not granted timely and proper use of health services due to costs, poor health care knowledge, health care organization, EMTALA, discrimination, and fearShow MoreRelatedThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights1728 Words   |  7 Pagespeople. Culture can impede progress and leave women, minorities and other sub-sects of a society without the basic human rights that they deser ve. Clinging too close to culture can be dangerous. The Foundations of a Universal Declaration The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was drafted shortly after the United Nations was established in 1945. 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This is the first time that the world recognized that everyone had the right to enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom from fear and want, and many other rights. International human rights come along way; before there was no rights. The idea of having rights that led to the development of international human rights takes time. There are benchmarks developments in internationalRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights Essay1276 Words   |  6 PagesA human right is an ethical choice and moral belief belonging to all humans regardless of traits, status, location, color, gender, or belief system. Making the connection to a universal law, the United Nations Rights High Commissioner explains these rights are, â€Å"guaranteed by law† and protected as â€Å"fundamental freedoms† (OHCHR, 2016). 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I am going to argue if Human Rights should or should not be unically adapted to differentRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights875 Words   |  4 PagesI feel that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) does have a western bias. Many people look to US for guidance, but not many other nations copy our way of life. States can sign treaties, but they cannot be reassured that the other nation will keep its word. The US and the UN should maybe not be engaging in promoting western society, but they should be engaging in promoting the protection of human rights. The UN UDHR fought for minimal rights in 1948 by identifying three types of generationsRead MoreThe Universal Declaration Of Human Rights1485 Words   |  6 Pages1003236982 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states â€Å"that human rights are held by all persons equally and universally forever† –hence, they are universal held. This is due to them being the exact same for all human beings anywhere in the world. One cannot acquire human rights because of where they come from, but because they are a member of the human race. Nobody can lose those human rights, nor can they be taken away for whatever the reason may be. Together, we have the right to express ourselvesRead MoreThe Declaration Of Universal Human Rights869 Words   |  4 PagesGeneral Assembly (UNGA) set forth a declaration of universal human rights. The goal was to set a common standard of rights based on â€Å"recognition of the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family.† It was meant to become the perfect social contract but unfortunately was not upheld even by the signatory nations themselves. Many critics now looking b ack have cited the overreaching ideals as the downfall of the declaration but yet many have responded saying it