Futures
There are many things in the past that we thought would make the world a better place. For
example, the decade of the 1960s, in which “Harrison Bergeron” was written, was referred to as
the “dangerous decade” as it was full of unresolved problems regarding discrimination that
resulted in the inequality of many groups. From Vonnegut’s perspective, a world that celebrates
equality would appear to be an easy solution for all the harm and hurt done to the world. In the
story “Harrison Bergeron” it states, “...Nobody was stronger or quicker than everyone else.” This
shows what the ideal society would be like during this time period. However, in our
contemporary society, this sense of equality is so extreme that some have no sense of their true
selves. With all the media surrounding our modern society, we are pressured to be like
everybody else in order to feel wanted or accepted. This desire for individuality has not made us
happier as it is just an illusion of fulfilment. However, individuality is not the only factor of life
that takes a turn throughout the years. In “Time Capsule From A Dead Planet” Atwood states,
“Pray for us, who once thought we could fly.” This quote further emphasizes how people have
experienced disappointment as a result of their misguided future hopes for their own happiness.
This idea goes for both individuality and money. These two texts further show that what was
once desired in the past can take a turn for the worse in the future.
Cultures
Humans go through many experiences throughout their lifetime. Yet, the realization that one’s
time on earth may come to an end soon is one of the most stressful but eye opening experiences
a person could ever endure. There are both positives and negatives to this experience. Death
allows us to have a deadline, meaning we are more motivated to live our lives to the fullest in the
time given to us. In “Federigo’s Falcon,” Monna Giovanna states, “...I have saved the life of my