Harrison Bergeron By: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Prereading Questions: Choose & answer 1 question. Why do some people enjoy competing, while others find it unpleasant? What are some ways in which competing with others can help you or hurt you? What laws would you pass to make people more equal in America? What would the world be like if people could only think about or feel something for twenty seconds before forgetting it? Why do we enjoy watching people of exceptional talent—such as athletes or dancers—perform?

First Reading As you read the story, mark places where you think something is tragic and places where you think something is humorous .

After Reading Remember: the society of 2081 tries to make people equal not only “before God and the law” but “every which way.” * equal * alike in quantity, value, ability, merit *having the same privileges and rights; of the same social rank

Second Reading As you read the text a second time, mark places where you feel the following topics are being discussed. Use the legend below to code your demarcations: E = equality H = handicaps A = average

Choose & Answer 1 Question Choose & Answer 1 Question. Cite textual evidence to support your response. What does it mean for people to be “equal under the law”? What are some other ways in which people can be equal or unequal? Do you think that the government’s motives in trying to make all people the same were originally good or bad? Why do you think society of 2081 wants to make everyone equally average instead of making everyone equally able to achieve their full potential?

Writing After Discussion: Choose & answer 1 question (1 page minimum). Do you think that Hazel is a good example of what the average American is like? Why/not? Why is it so important for individuals to have freedom of speech and thought? What are some things in today’s world that discourage independent thinking? Can society ever be fair as long as people do not have equal talents and abilities? Write your own satirical vision of the future in which some idea or principle is carried out to an extreme (for example, freedom of speech, animal rights, law and order).