Literary Analysis Essay
Analyze the way in which the dystopian characteristics
of “Harrison Bergeron” develop the theme.
So Now What?
• What does the prompt say?
• Analyze the way in which the dystopian characteristics of “Harrison Bergeron” develop
the theme.
• What do I need to know?
• Which dystopian characteristics are in “Harrison Bergeron?”
Which dystopian characteristics are in “Harrison Bergeron?”
• Information, independent thought, and freedom are restricted.
• A figurehead or concept is worshipped by the citizens of the society.
• Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance.
• Citizens live in a dehumanized state.
• Citizens conform to uniform expectations. Individuality and dissent
are bad.
• The society is an illusion of a perfect utopian world.
What is the theme of “Harrison Bergeron?”
• Remember, dystopian stories serve as warnings. What warning is
Vonnegut sending? What do we have to change or stop in order to
keep from ending up in a society like the one in the story?
• Write a statement about what Vonnegut is criticizing about society
and what might happen if there isn’t change.
• For example:
• “Omelas:” It is unethical for a society to oppress one innocent small group
just to make a larger group happy.
How do the dystopian characteristics help the reader understand the theme?
• Omelas example:
• Characteristic: dehumanization
• The child represents the minority group.
• kept in the worst conditions imaginable.
• not given a name, or even a gender.
• Represents oppressed minority groups throughout history:
• Jews
• African Americans
Thesis
• I’ll start you off. Choose one…
• In Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “Harrison Bergeron,” (theme) (characteristics)
• In Ursula K. LeGuin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” the danger of
oppressing one group to benefit another is explored through the society’s worship of the
concept of happiness and the dehumanization of the young child.
• “Harrison Bergeron,” by Kurt Vonnegut, (theme) (characteristics)
• “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” by Ursula K. LeGuin, warns of the dangers of
oppressing a minority to suit the majority through the worship of the concept of
happiness, the illusion of utopia, and the dehumanized child.
• Through (characteristics), Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” (theme)
• Through the use of the dehumanized child and the illusion of utopia, Ursula K. LeGuin’s
haunting tale “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” is a warning against the idea
that oppression of a minority is acceptable when it benefits the majority.
Essay plan page
• Focus on the body paragraphs
• Intro and conclusion come later
• There are three sections for body paragraphs, but how many you will
use depends on the number of points (in this case, dystopian
characteristics) in your thesis
• Start filling in the plan page with the examples and analysis you want
to include in your paper.
• You don’t have to worry too much about the title at the moment.