The Irony of Equality in Harrison Bergeron

What is the significance of the word "equality" in Harrison Bergeron?

Is it an example of:

a) dramatic irony

b) situational irony

c) verbal irony

Answer:

Verbal

The use of the word "equality" in Harrison Bergeron is an example of verbal irony. Verbal irony arises when a word is used in a way that conveys a meaning opposite to its literal meaning. In the context of the story, "equality" is employed in a satirical sense because, in the pursuit of making everyone equal, the society ends up imposing severe and oppressive handicaps on individuals who are deemed as having any form of advantage, be it intelligence, beauty, or strength. This creates a condition where "equality" results in a form of injustice and societal dysfunction, which is the opposite of the unbiased and fair condition the term usually signifies.