Human rights concepts and applications

Thematic Comparisons

Both Harrison Bergeron and The Incredibles share glaring commonalities; Harrison is exceptional in every way, Mr. Incredible is the epitome of exceptional societal and family values. The underlying theme in both stories capitalizes on the 'red thread' running throughout society in waves; mediocrity is normal, even desirable and excellence and far-reaching goals are to be controlled and stilled.

Examples of this disturbingly accurate realism are plentiful in both stories; Harrison Bergeron breaks free of the 'United States Handicapper General's best effort to squelch all individuality, intelligence, and beauty found within the boy. Effortlessly breaking the handicap devices designed to weigh him down and keep him from soaring, Harrison publicly announces his intention of flying by naming himself the "Emperor," calling for a brave woman to rise, remove her handicap mask and be his "Empress" and calling for musicians with awe-inspiring talent to remove their own limitations and become barons, dukes, and earls in his newly formed kingdom. The Handicapper General -- HG -- enters, fires a double-barrel shotgun at the gravity-free pair floating to the music of their dreams and future, killing them instantly. The musicians are given a scant 10 seconds to return their 'handicaps', or they, too, will die.

The Incredibles does a similar job of describing this envy and suppression of talent and dreams by depicting a hero -- Mr. Incredible -- as one who values the important things in life. Family, teamwork, honorable intentions, and the normal expectation of and reality of the receipt of love and appreciation from those for whom he extends himself sets the stage for the tragedies buried within the story. The people whom Mr. Incredible saves sue him for accidental injuries and as Mr. Incredible tries to help a suicidal man, he cries, "I wanted to save your life," to which the despondent man shouts back, "you ruined my death." Several characters are involved in demonstrating the driving need to bring the individual down to the lowest societal denominator; Mr. Incredible's boss, his enemies -- Bomb Voyage -, and even the falsely comforting world in which he lives.

Both of these stories bring to mind a truth from the world of sea animals. When a single lobster is caught and placed in a fisherman's reel, it will fight non-stop to escape the creel and often require a heavy object on the creel's lid to keep it contained. Now, add a second lobster to the creel and you can leave the lid off and walk away; they will both still be in the basket. The reason; the competitive nature of one being a bit higher or better off keeps them fighting to keep each other down. Not at all unlike our society today.

Summary

The New York Times essay, "When Every Child is Good Enough" considers both sides of the excellence vs. egalitarianism problem in education today. Should parents drive their children to distraction, demanding excellence and competitiveness -- knowing the world is a highly competitive place? Should educators and role models praise all, bringing every participant in life's competition to the median line, fearful of hurting the child's competitive spirit?

It is this writer's opinion that the 'all are equally gifted and should be equally rewarded' mentality stems from the same political position in this country as liberalism. Not politically similar? Indeed they are. Consider, a liberal mindset says, "if you have, I, too, should have." Not so. If I have, it is likely because of some action, choice, or effort I chose to undertake in order to have. That doesn't make it your right to take a piece of my -- success, power, intellect, money, and so on.