Harrison Bergeron English II

Pre-Reading Vocabulary O Satire: A piece of literature intended to ridicule the subject of the work. Although it can be humorous, the author’s intention is to arouse contempt in the reader. O Dystopia: An imagined and often futuristic place in which everything is bad; typically a totalitarian state; opposite of utopia.

Literary Devices O Irony: The opposite of our expectations occurs. O Simile: A comparison between two unlike objects using “like” or “as.” Create two lists: 1. Examples of irony in “Harrison Bergeron” 2. Similes from “Harrison Bergeron”

Example of Irony:

Why does Vonnegut use irony? O To force the reader to consider how absurd it is that society puts so much effort in striving for “equality” … when such a thing really isn’t even possible! O Remember: This was written during the Civil Rights movement.

“Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper” (25). O What does “like wet tissue paper” add to this image? O Why not just say “tore through the straps”? O So, in one sentence, what is the EFFECT of the simile? The simile highlights Harrison’s strength, emphasizing how easily he is able to break the bonds that society has placed on him.

“The bar snapped like celery” (25). O What does it mean to “snap like celery”? O So, what is the EFFECT of this simile? A. The simile makes the image more specific. B. The simile puts an image in our heads. C. The simile emphasizes how easily Harrison was able to snap the bar. In fact, the simile suggests that Harrison’s strength is almost superhuman. Why is C the best explanation of the effect?

“They leaped like deer on the moon.” (26) O What do deer leaping on the moon look like? O With a partner, write a one sentence explanation of the EFFECT of this simile. The simile conveys the mystical and boundless nature of the dance.