Both of
the previous answers are excellent, but
I would like to add a bit. Yes, "" is a work
of . Not only is it pointing out
the importance of recognizing the strengths and weaknesses
among individuals,
but it is decrying what Vonnegut perceived as a potential misuse of the
phrase created equal. When I teach this story to my students, I
have them
brainstorm lists of ways our government (or even our school)
intervenes to create equality. We
discuss the meaning of equality. We discuss
what measures are fair and justified and which might
be considered
well-intentioned over-reach.
All of this is not to say
that
Vonnegut believed people are not created equal or shouldn't be treated
with equality, but rather
that an attempt by government to create an
artificial equality based on the lowest common
denominator would have
extremely detrimental effects on our society. He used the ridiculous
example
of Harrison's mother not being able to remember seeing him killed
on...
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