Harrison Bergeron

Harrison Bergeron stands out as an extraordinary individual in a society that enforces strict equality through handicaps. He is the son of George and Hazel Bergeron. With a towering height of seven feet, he is athletically built, highly intelligent, and strikingly handsome. These traits are so pronounced that the Handicapper General assigns him severe limitations to counteract his natural abilities. Arrested at just fourteen for his insurrectionist plans, Harrison's boldness leads him to escape imprisonment and seize control of a television studio to broadcast his message to the world.

Harrison's ambition is to dismantle the societal norms of enforced equality. He yearns for a return to a "normal" state where individual excellence can thrive. Declaring himself "the Emperor," he attempts to liberate others from their oppressive handicaps, showcasing an elaborate dance with a ballerina he names his "Empress." This dance serves as a powerful symbol of unrestrained freedom, challenging the government's suppression of superiority and excess.

However, Harrison's motives remain ambiguous. It is unclear if his actions stem from a genuine desire to liberate others or a quest for power. His defiance ultimately leads to his demise, as Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, swiftly restores order by killing him and the ballerina. Despite the tragedy of his rebellion, Harrison's refusal to accept mediocrity and constraints marks him as a tragic figure, willing to sacrifice everything for his beliefs.

George Bergeron

George Bergeron, husband to Hazel and father to Harrison, embodies the consequences of conformity in a society that mandates mediocrity. With his "way above-normal" intelligence, George is burdened with a mental handicap device that emits sharp noises to disrupt his thoughts, preventing him from capitalizing on his cognitive abilities. Additionally, he carries forty-seven pounds of birdshot weights to neutralize his physical strength.

George occasionally experiences moments of clarity, particularly while watching ballerinas on television or during conversations with Hazel. However, the relentless noise in his ear forces him to abandon deeper reflections, causing frustration and resignation. His acceptance of these handicaps reflects a belief that competition would revert society to the "dark ages," and thus he complies with the oppressive regime.

Symbolically, George represents the masses who acquiesce to governmental control, contrasting sharply with his son, Harrison, who rebels against such constraints. While Harrison's defiance ends in death, George's compliance results in a figurative death, as the handicaps dull his intellect and diminish his experience of life.

Hazel Bergeron

Hazel Bergeron, George's wife and Harrison’s mother, is characterized by her average intelligence and lack of physical handicaps. In this dystopian society, her "normal" intelligence is equated with incompetence, rendering her incapable of retaining memories or engaging in meaningful conversation. Hazel's inability to remember events leads to moments of tearful confusion, yet she is unable to recall the cause of her sadness.

Despite her limitations, Hazel possesses a certain contentment, unburdened by the physical constraints that afflict George. Her forgetfulness protects her from prolonged distress, allowing her to maintain a semblance of happiness. She is depicted as compassionate and empathetic, encouraging George to relieve himself of his burdens, albeit unsuccessfully.

Hazel's character serves as a foil to Diana Moon Glampers, highlighting the stark contrast in the presentation of women in the story. While Hazel embodies warmth and understanding, Diana represents cold authority and absolute power.

Diana Moon Glampers

Diana Moon Glampers, the formidable Handicapper General, wields immense power in her role of enforcing equality in society. Her authority is absolute, ensuring that all citizens adhere to the modified Constitution by imposing physical and mental handicaps. These include weights, ear radios, and other devices designed to suppress individual excellence.

Though her presence is brief, appearing at the story's climax to quash Harrison's rebellion through lethal force, Diana's influence is pervasive throughout the narrative. She epitomizes the totalitarian regime, maintaining order through strict regulations and severe punishments. Her actions underscore her commitment to suppressing any deviation from the norm, even resorting to execution to preserve societal equilibrium.

In contrast to Hazel’s gentle nature, Diana's character challenges conventional gender roles, embodying the harshest aspects of authority. Her portrayal complicates simplistic interpretations of gender, presenting a multifaceted view of power and control within the narrative.