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In "Harrison Bergeron" by Ray Bradbury, why does George have to wear a mental handicap?

In “Harrison Bergeron,” George is the title character’s father. George was born with higher than average intelligence, and it is for this reason the Handicapper General, Diana Moon Glampers, makes him wear a small radio over his ear. Every twenty seconds the radio emits a loud sound, making George forget what he was thinking about.


George doesn’t have a choice whether or not to wear the handicap. The radio is legally required by the U.S. Constitution, and taking it off would make George guilty of a federal crime. Even when he watches his son Harrison attempt to overthrow the government, for not one second does George consider taking off the handicap. For the government’s benefit, the handicap causes George to forget about Harrison shortly after after Diana Moon Glampers kills him with a shotgun.

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