Harrison Bergeron: Close Reading

"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."

Which words get repeated?

• equal

• nobody

"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."

Why does Vonnegut repeat the word nobody?

• Equality, as defined by Vonnegut, erases individuality, reducing everyone to the lowest common denominator; hence, in effect, everybody becomes nobodies.

• According to Vonnegut, true equality would require handicapping intelligent, attractive, and talented individuals and thus robbing them of their potential to become somebodies.

"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."

What can you infer based on the mention of the amendments?

• Not surprisingly, the country had to undergo few constitutional changes to attain true equality.

• Obviously, the country had to undergo numerous constitutional changes to attain true equality.

• Attaining true equality proves immoral because it eliminates talent, possibility, and innovation.

• Equality, as defined by Vonnegut, erases individuality, reducing everyone to the lowest common denominator; hence, in effect, everybody becomes nobodies.

"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."

Why must the agents of the United States Handicapper General remain constantly watchful?

• Not surprisingly, the agents must remain constantly vigilant because the fight for true equality proves arduous, or difficult. Many, like Harrison, may buck against the system. In other words, exceptional individuals may dissent or revolt.

• The agents must remain constantly vigilant because the fight for true equity proves arduous, or difficult. Not all support leveling the playing field, especially those who benefit or profit from the unfair advantage.

"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."

Again, what can the reader infer about the mention of the year?

• Attaining true equality took many, many years.

• It warns readers of the dangers of blindly allowing incremental and detrimental change.

"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."

The use of the word General makes her seem ___.

• authoritarian, or favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom

• apathetic, or showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

• militant, or combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods

• ineffective, or not producing any significant or desired effect

"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."

Although the futuristic society seems to have even eliminated seasons, the mention of springtime foreshadows ___.

• death or slumber

• stagnation, or inactivity

• a rebirth or awakening

• lack of activity, growth, or development

Use the image to infer to define the term equity.

• Equity refers to giving people what they need to succeed rather than giving everybody the same thing.

• Equity refers to giving people the exact same thing in order to succeed; otherwise, it seems unfair, or partial.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

What message does the image convey?

• Despite what many believe, true equality, in actuality, proves unfair.

• Despite opposition, Americans should fight for true equality.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

What does the cartoon demonstrate?

• The cartoon demonstrates that often some benefit from distinct advantages.

• The cartoon demonstrates that often some suffer distinct disadvantages.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7