Harrison Bergeron Theme

PART A: What is the theme of the short story?

• The government should encourage everyone to hide their differences in order to have a more peaceful and equal society.

• Forcing uniformity on people doesn’t result in equality, but rather conflict and unhappiness.

• Attempting to achieve complete equality will only result in widespread conflict

• People don’t realize how important individuality is until their differences are taken away.

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PART B: What line from the text best supports the theme identified in PART A?

• “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.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Ordinarily, there was a certain symmetry, a military neatness to the handicaps issued to strong people, but Harrison looked like a walking junkyard. In the race of life, Harrison carried three hundred pounds.” (Paragraph 45)

• “‘I am the Emperor!’ cried Harrison. ‘Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!’ He stamped his foot and the studio shook.’” (Paragraph 54)

• “The musicians scrambled back into their chairs, and Harrison stripped them of their handicaps, too. ‘Play your best,’ he told them, ‘and I’ll make you barons and dukes and earls.”’ (Paragraph 65)

• “It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor.” (Paragraph 78)

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How does the ballerina’s decision to side with Harrison develop the theme?

• It reveals the resentment the citizens have towards the government.

• It demonstrates individuals willing to fight for their rights.

• It emphasizes how rash actions can have dire outcomes.

• It shows the difference between the courageous and the cowardice.

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