“Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

1. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

2. “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut is a Satire! Do you get it? • Which satirical devices did Vonnegut use in creating this story? Where can these be seen? • Which “weaknesses, errors, incongruities and/or wrong-doings of individuals, groups, or humanity” was Vonnegut targeting through his short story?

3. Vonnegut’s Targets: • Politics • The negative effects a totalitarian government may have on societies • Stripping individuals of personal liberties and freedom • Ex. The smoking ban in public area/buildings • Civil Rights (60’s) • The sacrifices for equality far outweigh their positive effects • Individuality would have to be completely lost for true equality • Sure, competition would be gone, but no one would be allowed to make themselves better • Social Status • Average intelligence—no one reaches their full potential or knowledge for social mobility

4. Vonnegut’s Warning for America • He uses subtle changes in society to satirize America through opposition of knowledge and power versus suppression and ignorance. Each time government gains more power, even for something that might be trivial to most people, the population becomes a bit more ignorant, allowing the ignorance to build and form deep layers that become impossible to chip with each bit of power the government gains. Adapted from Megan B. Wyatt’s article “An Analysis and Discussion on Dystopian Themes and American Trends.”

5. Warning cont. • The more knowledge the government acquires and does not share with the public, the more impossible it becomes for Americans to think, and act, for better or worse. Even when Harrison defies society by suggesting radical and freeing change, several obstacles prevent any real success on his part. • The largest problem is the ignorance of the people in Harrison’s world. Hazel watches her son die on television, and instead of gaining understanding, she ends where she begun. Adapted from Megan B. Wyatt’s article “An Analysis and Discussion on Dystopian Themes and American Trends.”

6. Warning cont. • Vonnegut calls our attention to the major differences from the present world to Harrison Bergeron’s world and forces us to examine the similarities in both worlds. Readers are called to act on what might not normally affect us to take action before we are incapable of acting because of control or our own ignorance. Adapted from Megan B. Wyatt’s article “An Analysis and Discussion on Dystopian Themes and American Trends.”

7. Final Statement • Through his grotesque demonstration, Vonnegut indirectly encourages appreciation of differences within humanity because failure to appreciate uniqueness could lead to actual equality and a world without competition, dreams, or mobility. Adapted from Megan B. Wyatt’s article “An Analysis and Discussion on Dystopian Themes and American Trends” 22 July 2009.