1. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray1 Harrison Bergeron Discussion Topics

2. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray2 Pigeonhole the book What are some of the crucial terms? What is the significance of the first sentence? In what ways is our society and government approaching that today? How is the radical equality in Harrison Bergeron enforced? In what direction are accomodations made to create equality?

3. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray3 Comment on Former Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska’s words, "Well, mediocrity should be represented in the Court, too." What threat did Harrison Bergeron represent? Discuss the following Alexis de Toqueville quotes (source: http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/english/fa jardo/teaching/srp435/vonnegut.htm):

4. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray4 “No matter how a people strives for it, all the conditions of life can never be perfectly equal. Even if, by misfortune, such an absolute dead level were attained, there would still be inequalities of intelligence which, coming directly from God, will ever escape the laws of man.” “When inequality is the general rule in society, the greatest inequalities attract no attention. When everything is more or less level, the slightest variation is noticed. Hence the more equal men are, the more insatiable will be their longing for equality”

5. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray5 Evaluate the following “meaning of Harrison Bergeron” from answers.com: The meaning is to don't ever think you can't do anything, unless you really know that it'll never happen. Example: Keep moving forward and never fall back. you gotta tried and not make it worse. It's all about making the right decision. To get from a better place to another. Don't listen to them they just don't understand. Believe in yourself and in nothing else. Your life is a work of art, you gotta paint it colorful.

6. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray6 Look up “egalitarianism”. Discuss that word in light of Harrison Bergeron. Some liberals insist that Vonnegut was not condemning radical egalitarianism, but instead was siding with Handicapper General. If so, was this short story a utopian or dystopian tale? Do you agree with this understanding of the work? Does the fact that elsewhere and always Vonnegut was an unrelenting leftist matter to your consideration?

7. Copyright 2008, Scott Gray7 Is this type of radical equality even feasible? Consider the office and work of the Handicapper General in your answer. What does my choice of PowerPoint design for the set of cells tell you about my opinion?