What if everyone were THE SAME?
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Harrison Bergeron Short Story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Introducing the Short Story Literary Analysis: Plot and Conflict Reading Skill: Draw Conclusions Vocabulary in Context Harrison Bergeron Objectives Literary Analysis • Explore the key ideas of average • Analyze plot and conflict • Read a short story Reading • Draw conclusions Harrison Bergeron Vocabulary • Build vocabulary for reading and writing • Understand and use the Greek word root syn to help unlock meaning Grammar and Writing • Use precise adjectives to revise a draft • Use writing to analyze literature Harrison Bergeron INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY What if everyone were THE SAME? What would the world be like if everyone were the same— average in intelligence, talents, appearance, and strength— and no one was better than anyone else? Harrison Bergeron INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY What if everyone were THE SAME? How do you think people would feel and act toward each other? Would they be happy and satisfied? Harrison Bergeron INTRODUCING THE SHORT STORY What if everyone were THE SAME? BRAINSTORM With your class, brainstorm possible advantages and disadvantages of a world where everyone is the same— exactly average. Try to generate as many ideas as possible. Advantages Disadvantages no more jealousy nothing to live up to Harrison Bergeron • MOVIE TIME Harrison Bergeron Plot and Conflict The plot of a story is driven by a conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. In some stories, the conflict is between the main character and society. Harrison Bergeron • Types of Conflict Examples Harrison Bergeron Plot and Conflict In “Harrison Bergeron,” for example, the title character struggles with U.S. society in the year 2081. As you read, notice ways in which Harrison and the government oppose each other. Follow events to see who prevails. Harrison Bergeron Draw Conclusions When you draw conclusions, you make judgments based on story details and your own prior knowledge. Details in Story Harrison’s father has to wear a radio that blasts loud noises into his ears. + My Prior Knowledge + Frequent loud noises make concentration very difficult. = My Conclusion = Harrison’s father can’t follow a train of thought for long. Harrison Bergeron Draw Conclusions Use the following strategies to draw conclusions about the society depicted in “Harrison Bergeron”: • Note what results from the society’s practices and laws. • Apply your own knowledge to speculate about the motives of its officials. Harrison Bergeron Draw Conclusions As you read “Harrison Bergeron,” use a chart like the one shown to make notes about the society. Also include your own thoughts or reactions about the information. Details About Society My Reactions Constitutional amendments make everyone equal in every way. It would be hard to enforce equality. My Overall Conclusions Harrison Bergeron consternation Vonnegut uses the words to the right in relating his futuristic tale. To see how many words you already know, substitute a different word or phrase for each boldfaced term. Write your answers in your Reader/Writer Notebook. Sample answers appear in brackets. 1. vigilance with the children crossing the street [alertness] 2. wince in pain after the injection [cringe] 3. filled with consternation at the thought [alarm] cower neutralize synchronize vigilance wince Harrison Bergeron consternation 4. cower in the corner [tremble] cower neutralize synchronize 5. synchronize our watches [coordinate] 6. neutralizing the impact [reducing the effect of] vigilance wince Harrison Bergeron consternation n. confused amazement or fear cower v. to crouch down in fear neutralize v. to counteract or cancel out the effect of synchronize v. to match the timing of vigilance n. alert attention, watchfulness wince v. to shrink or flinch involuntarily, especially in pain Harrison Bergeron • • • • • • Vigilance Wince Consternation Cower Synchronize Neutralizing Harrison Bergeron • 1. Which word best describes the mood of the Bergeron household? • A.subdued • B. overwhelming • C. inspiring • D. Restless Harrison Bergeron • 2. In this story, people with above-average intelligence have to • A. watch a lot of television every night. • B. Marry someone with less intelligence • C. Report weekly to the Handicapper General. • D. Wear mental-handicap transmitters Harrison Bergeron • 3. Based on the number of handicaps Harrison wears, you can conclude he is • A. the same as everyone else • B. dangerous to others in society • C. Above average in many ways • D. glad he doesn’t live at home Harrison Bergeron • 4. Throughout most of the story, you can conclude that George treats Martha • A. unfairly • B. gently • C. rudely • D. poorly Harrison Bergeron • • • • • 5. Harrison is in conflict with A. his parents B. the government C. his teachers D. a ballerina Harrison Bergeron Harrison Bergeron • • • • • What does vigilance mean? A. alertness B. panic C. enthusiasm D. carelessness Harrison Bergeron • • • • • A look of consternation is one of A. great excitement B. confusion and fear C. deep sadness D. anger and hatred Harrison Bergeron • • • • • 8. To wince means to A. complain loudly B. relax completely C. flinch involuntarily D. cry out in fear Harrison Bergeron • 9. what does cower mean? Harrison Bergeron • To synchronize two watches will make them_____? Harrison Bergeron • Explain how Harrison’s feelings toward government-imposed handicaps conflict with his father’s. Give two examples from the story that show how each one feels about this government practice.
