Hazel Bergeron

 

 

 

Harrison’s mother and George’s wife. While she is a bit scatterbrained, Hazel is also sweet. For every "nonsensical comment she makes about the wonderful work the Handicapper General is doing or the commendable effort made by the incompetents on television, she makes a kind remark to George or sheds a few tears for her son’s plight" (Spark). Hazel is characterized as an average American at the time, while in todays society she would be considered mentally challenged. 

 

Hazel is an average American woman in an age when “average” has come to mean “stupid.” She does not need a radio affixed to her ear because she was never capable of sustained thought. Hazel "applauds those who are as incapable as she is, cheering on the unimpressive ballerinas and praising the horrible performance of the announcer who cannot overcome his speech impediment" (Grade). Hazel is a mentally challenged, but she is also kind. She worries about George and suggests that he remove a few of his weights while he is at home, and she crys over her son, although she cannot keep him in mind for more than a few moments. While Hazel is kind, because she is mental challenged, she is unable to recognize the absurdity of her society, let alone doing anything to change it. She is exactly what the government whats to mold everyone into. An empty shell of an individual who abids by the crazy laws.