Harrison Bergeron By Kurt Vonnegut Jr Short Story PDF

Before Reading

What would the world be like if everyone were the

same—average in intelligence, talents, appearance, and strength—

and no one was better than anyone else? How do you think

people would feel and act toward each other? Would they be

happy and satisfied?

BRAINSTORM With your class, brainstorm possible

advantages and disadvantages of a world where

everyone is the same—exactly average. Try to generate

as many ideas as possible.

What if everyone were

THE SAME?

Harrison Bergeron

Short Story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Advantages

no more

jea

lousy

Disadva ntages

nothing to

liv

e up to

READING 5 Understand and draw

conclusions about the elements of

fiction and provide evidence from

text to support understanding.

5A Analyze isolated scenes and

their contribution to the success

of the plot as a whole in a variety

of works of fiction.

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Meet the Author

Complete the activities in your Reader/Writer Notebook.

Go to thinkcentral.com.

KEYWORD: HML10-37

Author

Online

ral

com

0-37

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

1922–2007

Serious Humor

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was one of the most

acclaimed satiric writers in America. After

working briefly as a journalist, he began

writing short stories in the late 1940

s and

continued writing stories, novels, dramas,

and essays for more than 50 years. His fiction

deals with sobering topics—war, brutality,

and fear of technology. But Vonnegut writes

with dark humor and elements of fantasy

and even absurdity, which have given his

writing lasting appeal.

Voice of Experience

During World War II, Vonnegut was held as

a prisoner of war in Dresden, Germany. The

city was leveled by a fierce firebombing, and

the destruction and horror of that event

became the focus of his most famous novel,

Slaughterhouse Five. Vonnegut wrote in a

preface to the novel that it was about “the

inhumanity of many of man’s inventions to

man.” Vonnegut’s early work was not well

received by critics, but since the 1970

s he has

been regarded as a major American writer.

background to the story

What’s Your Handicap?

If you have ever run a footrace or played golf,

you might know the sports term handicap.

It refers to a way to even up a game so that

good, average, and poor players can compete

as equals. In a footrace, for example, faster

runners might handicap themselves by

giving slower runners a head start. In

“Harrison Bergeron,” people are given

handicaps in daily life so that no one will be

any stronger, smarter, or better looking than

anyone else.

literary analysis: plot and conflict

The plot of a story is driven by a conflict, or struggle between

opposing forces. In some stories, the conflict is between

the main character and society. In “Harrison Bergeron,” for

example, the title character struggles with U.S. society in the

year 2081. As you read, notice ways in which Harrison and the

government oppose each other. Follow events to see who

prevails.

reading skill: draw conclusions

When you draw conclusions, you make judgments based on

story details and your own prior knowledge. Use the following

strategies to draw conclusions about the society depicted in

“Harrison Bergeron”:

• Note what results from the society’s practices and laws.

• Apply your own knowledge to speculate about the motives

of its officials.

As you read “Harrison Bergeron,” use a chart like the one

shown to make notes about the society. Also include your own

thoughts or reactions about the information.

Details About Society

Constitutional amendments make

everyone equal in every way.

My Reactions

It would be hard to enforce

equality.

My Overall Conclusions

vocabulary in context

Vonnegut uses the following words in relating his futuristic

tale. To see how many words you already know, substitute

a different word or phrase for each boldfaced term. Write your

answers in your Reader/Writer Notebook.

1. vigilance with the children crossing the street

2. wince in pain after the injection

3. filled with consternation at the thought

4. cower in the corner

5. synchronize our watches

6. neutralizing the impact

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The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal

before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was

smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else.

Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due

to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the

unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General.

Some things about living still weren’t quite right, though. April, for instance,

still drove people crazy by not being springtime. And it was in that clammy

month that the H-G men took George and Hazel Bergeron’s fourteen-year-old

son, Harrison, away.

It was tragic, all right, but George and Hazel couldn’t think about it very

hard. Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldn’t think

about anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was

way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required

by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter.

Every

twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep

people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.

George and Hazel were watching television. There were tears on Hazel’s

cheeks, but she’d forgotten for the moment what they were about.

On the television screen were ballerinas.

A buzzer sounded in George’s head. His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits

from a burglar alarm.

“That was a real pretty dance, that dance they just did,” said Hazel.

“Huh?” said George.

“That dance—it was nice,” said Hazel.

“Yup,” said George. He tried to think a little about the ballerinas. They

weren’t really very good—no better than anybody else would have been,

anyway. They were burdened with sashweights

and bags of birdshot,

and

1. transmitter: an electronic device for broadcasting radio signals.

2. sashweights: lead weights used in some kinds of windows to keep them from falling shut when raised.

3. birdshot: tiny lead pellets made to be loaded in shotgun shells.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Harrison

Bergeron

Examine the image of the

television announcer and

the picture behind him.

What does this painting

suggest about television?

vigilance (vGjPE-lEns)

n. alert attention,

watchfulness

DRAW CONCLUSIONS

Reread lines 1–17. Cite

specific details that

describe society in 2081.

What is your opinion of

the society so far?

Detail of TVTime-Announcer (2002),

Charles Foster-Hall. Acrylic on canvas,

Foster-Hall.

38 unit 1: plot, setting, and mood

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FAQs of Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut Jr Short Story PDF

What is the main conflict in Harrison Bergeron?

The main conflict in Harrison Bergeron arises from the struggle between the protagonist, Harrison, and the oppressive government that enforces strict equality among its citizens. Harrison, who possesses extraordinary intelligence and physical abilities, is burdened with handicaps to suppress his talents. As he rebels against these constraints, he represents the fight for individuality and freedom in a society that prioritizes uniformity. This conflict illustrates the broader theme of the dangers of extreme egalitarianism and the loss of personal identity.

How does Vonnegut use satire in Harrison Bergeron?

Kurt Vonnegut employs satire in Harrison Bergeron to critique the concept of enforced equality. Through exaggerated handicaps that diminish the characters' abilities, he highlights the absurdity of a society that sacrifices individuality for the sake of uniformity. The story's dark humor serves to underscore the potential consequences of extreme political ideologies, making readers reflect on the balance between equality and personal freedom. Vonnegut's satirical approach invites readers to question the value of mediocrity and the importance of diversity in human experience.

What societal practices are depicted in Harrison Bergeron?

In Harrison Bergeron, societal practices include the imposition of physical and mental handicaps to ensure that no individual excels beyond others. Constitutional amendments mandate that everyone must be made equal, leading to a dystopian reality where intelligence, beauty, and strength are suppressed. The government enforces these laws through surveillance and punishment, creating an environment of fear and conformity. This depiction serves as a warning against the dangers of sacrificing personal freedoms for the sake of enforced equality.

What themes are explored in Harrison Bergeron?

Harrison Bergeron explores several themes, including the conflict between individuality and conformity, the dangers of enforced equality, and the value of personal freedom. The story illustrates how a society that prioritizes uniformity can lead to oppression and the loss of human potential. Additionally, it examines the consequences of extreme governmental control and the impact of societal norms on personal identity. These themes resonate with contemporary discussions about equality, freedom, and the role of government in individual lives.