In
Vonnegut's future America, the Constitution has been amended to create an equal society, where
every citizen is completely equal in every facet of life. In order to achieve complete equality,
talented individuals are forced to wear cumbersome, oppressive handicaps. Theof the story, ,
embodies every aspect of physical and mental perfection and is considered a threat to the
government. After Harrison escapes from prison, he takes over a news station, declares himself
Emperor of the United States, and dramatically throws off his cumbersome handicaps. He then
says,
"I shall now select my Empress!...Let the first
woman who dares rise to her feet claim her mate and her throne!" (Vonnegut, 4).
A ballerina then stands to her feet and approaches Harrison, who
strips off her handicaps and the two characters gracefully jump thirty feet into the air, where
they kiss the ceiling and each other.
Harrison and the ballerina's graceful
dance in mid-air symbolically represents a celebration of independence, talent, and uniqueness.
Their act of rebellion depicts the positive aspects of non-conformity and the liberty to express
one's talent, beauty, and physical abilities. In a society determined to restrict citizens with
talent in order to maintain equality, Harrison and the ballerina challenge the oppressive
government policies by publicly displaying their natural talents in a beautiful, artistic
manner.
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