The earpiece is a symbol of control. The Handicapper General uses it to “keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains” (18). Whenever George thinks too long about anything, the earpiece emits a painful sound to stop his thoughts. This sound prevents him from thinking about his son, the ballet dancers, and his obedience to the Handicapper General. The earpiece is meant to stop not just dissident thoughts but all thoughts, as critical thinking is a threat to the state. The story suggests that the sounds emitted by the earpiece are broadcasts of state violence. The government uses its weapons to kill both bodies and minds. Violence not only kills people like Harrison, but it also keeps people like George obedient.

In a society that enforces equality, excellence is impossible even among professional dancers. To have a beautiful ballet, excellence must be embraced. Harrison embraces excellence. After declaring himself emperor, he dances a beautiful ballet that “defies gravity” with his empress. While average ballet is a symbol of enforced equality, beautiful ballet is a way to reject that rule and embrace excellence. Ending Harrison’s empire meant ending the dance. It was the excellence of Harrison’s dance with the ballet dancer that upset the Handicapper General.