Characters

The main characters of the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut are Harrison, Hazel, and George Bergeron. Harrison Bergeron is a teenager whose intelligence and physical strength are above average and who is consequently seen as a threat by the authorities. Hazel Bergeron is a mediocre woman, while George Bergeron is an intelligent man forcefully handicapped. Throughout the narrative, the characters do not evolve, as they are prevented from doing so by the society they live in. 

The narrative mentions other characters as well. In the TV studio, there are the ballerinas and musicians, but also the news announcer. At the end, Diana Moon Glampers, the United States Handicapper General, makes a short appearance when she personally kills Harrison Bergeron. Almost all the characters presented in the story have a symbolic function, which will be discussed in a dedicated section. 

You can read a full characterization of Harrison Bergeron, Hazel Bergeron, and George Bergeron in the following pages.