Harrison Bergeron
This presentation is dedicated to
the analysis of ‘Harrison Bergeron’
Harrison Bergeron
Complete the worksheet titled ‘Analysis of a
story’
Quote
Technique
Effect
“Nobody
was
smarter…th
an anybody
else”
Repetition •Emphasising the fact that all
citizens were the same; there
is no such thing as being
unique
•The Repetition of the word
‘nobody’ also allows for the
concept that the citizens in
this world are nobody. They
simply serve a high purpose.
Possible link to ‘1984’
•The citizens of
Oceania.
•They are rationed
food, clothes and all
other daily needs.
This can link to the
same idea; no one
is special and,
therefore, does not
deserve anything
more than anyone
else (those in
section of the
hierarchy Winston is
in).
•The fact that the
citizens also are
there to serve
Quote
Technique
Effect
Possible links to
‘1984’
“ And George,
while his
intelligence was
way above
normal....unfair
advantage of
their brains.”
Characterisatio
n; physical and
mental
qualities
This demonstrates
George is different to
others and therefore,
needs to be
restrained. In a world
were everyone is
equal, George stands
out.
Winston stands
out as a character
because he thinks
differently and
questions the
world around him
Winston is also
monitored
The characterisation
continues to show he
is different as his
radio transmitter is
monitored and issued
by the government.
This alludes to the
fact he is closely
monitored by the
government
Quote
Technique
Effect
“A buzzer
sounded in
George’s
head...burglar
alarm.”
Onomatopoeia The effect of the sound
Simile
quality offers the reader an
insight into what George is
hearing. It shows that the
sounds are used to disturb
his thought process.
The use of the simile offers
a heightened tone as it uses
words such as ‘fled’ and
‘panic’. It also shows the
theme of danger through the
nouns ‘bandits’ and ‘burglar
alarm.’ These ideas put
together suggest thinking is a
dangerous activity. George
needs to ‘steal’ his thoughts
as a robber would steal
precious items.
Possible links to
‘1984’
 Winston is not
allowed to think for
himself; Thought
Police. The risk in
this involves torture
and vaporization.
Quote
Technique Effect
“It was such a
Sarcasm
doozy that
Tone
George was white
and
trembling...holding
their temples.”
The use of sarcasm to
act as George's voice
reinforces his above
intelligence when
contrasted with Hazel’s
conversation.
The overall tone is not
sarcastic. The use of words
such as ‘trembling’ and
‘tears’ represents the world
they live in.
It also shows that George
is not alone in his inability
to fit into the norm through
the mention of the
ballerina’s
Possible link to
‘1984’
Can link to
Winston’s
character as we
are exposed to
Winston's
thought’s during
the ‘2 Minute
Hates’
The contrast is,
besides Julia,
Winston is alone in
his plight against
Big Brother.
Quote
Technique
“ If I tried to get Hyperbole
away with it...I’d Time Imagery
hate it’ said
Hazel.”
Effect
Possible link
to ‘1984’
•The use of exaggeration of what
the world would be like if equality
of all did not exist.
•This is reinforced through the time
imagery of ‘the dark ages’. A time
when people were dying of disease
in the millions suggesting presentday would become ‘diseased’ with
such freedom should he break the
rules.
•This is evidence of inculcation
(teaching or impressing upon the
mind by frequent instruction or
repetition) where the strictures (A
restriction on a person or activity)
of society are embedded in his
mind. George mindlessly echoes
what is being reinforced through
government propaganda. This idea
extends to his transmitter as this is
the one of the causes of his
•Winston’s
reluctance to
help Julia after
she falls.
•Even though
he is
intelligent his
behaviour also
echoes
inculcation as
he lives in fear
of Big Brother
which is result
of mind
manipulation
and
propaganda.
Quote
Technique
“Harrison
Culmination
Bergeron,
Emotive
age
Language
fourteen...a
s extremely
dangerous.
””
Effect
Possible link to
‘1984’
• The listing of all the
qualities Harrison is known
for demonstrates he is a
serious threat as he will
disturb the natural order of
things through his difference
of intelligence. Tis also links
to the idea that knowledge is
power and is as dangerous
as a gun.
•The use of words such as
‘under-handicapped’ and
‘extremely dangerous’
emphasis how severe a
threat Harrison is.
 Knowledge is
power in the novel
as well; ‘Goldstein’s
Book, NewSpeak,
new dictionary
editions, changing
of history, ban of
personal writing
tools (diaries)
Quote
Techniqu
e
The use of
Metaphor
handicaps on the
Symbolis
citizens:
m
•George's
handicap
•Harrison ripping
off the handicap
•Harrison snapping
off the handicap
from the ballerina’s
ear
Effect
Possible links to
‘1984’
•The handicaps are a
metaphor to represent the
power of the government.
Those who are in
handicap’s are a threat to
the government and in turn,
the citizen’s as they can
influence others (as seen
through Harrison’s example)
•The handicap’s are also
symbolic as they symbolises
chains like those own by
criminals or those who are a
threat to society. The fact
that Harrison rips them off
symbolises the breaking
free of the rules and laws
imposed by the government
•The constant
monitoring of
citizens, instilling
of fear through
manipulation, the
boundaries of
Oceania, the lack
of knowledge or
distorted
knowledge can all
link to the
symbolism of
bondage enforced
by those in power.
Quote
Techniq
ue
Effect
Possible links to
‘1984’
“ Harrison and the
Empress merely
listened to the
music...synchronizi
ng their heartbeats
with it.”
Imagery
of Sound
through
feeling
This is the first instance
of feeling in the story that
is represented in a
positive way.
The use of imagery
links the act of rebellion
from outside influences
(music) to internal
feelings (heartbeat). It
also symbolises the
spark of love and
freedom all associated
with matters of the heart.
•When Julia and
Winston are alone
and they speak from
the heart without fear
of what they are
saying
•Julia’s letter to
Winston
•When Julia brings in
outside delicacies
such as coffee, sugar
and jam. The
overwhelming
emotions are
examples of the same
idea.
Quote
Techniqu
e
Effect
Possible links to
‘1984’
“Screams and
barking cries
of
consternation.
..dancing to
the tune of an
earthquake.”
Simile
Symbolism
Foreshadowing
 The use of comparing
Harrison’s movements to
that of an earthquake
shows the impact he is
having on society
Symbolism lies in the
movement of Harrison. His
movement is not graceful
as the previous conditioned
dancing of the ballerinas.
This reinforces the impact
of his rebellion
The foreshadowing in this
quote is seen through the
noun ‘earthquake’. As
earthquakes can have
disastrous effects, so will
the outcome of this
rebellion.
• Winston’s rebellion
is not as dramatic , if
anything it is one of
silence through
words and secret
locations
•This can be
contrasted to show
how Winston is
indoctrinated with
fear that even
though he knows
the ways of those on
power is wrong, his
fear of consequence
prevents him from
attempting such a
spectacle of
rebellion.
Quote
Technique
Effect
Possible link to
‘1984’
“He flung away
his rubber-ball
nose...have
awed Thor, the
god of
thunder.”
Allusion
Motif of the
idea of natural
sounds
Alluding the mighty god
Thor gives strength to
how powerful this
gesture is.
Using the motif of
natural sounds links to
the idea of creating a
scene through their
actions. This can also be
linked to the major
symbol of noises. Noises
are used to keep the
people in line however,
this is contrasted with
making the people aware
of their shackles.
Julia’s dressing
up for Winston
and her
application of
make-up show a
similar idea. They
both defy the
ways of their
dictatorship and
for the same
reasons.
Quote
Technique
Effect
Possible links to ‘1984’
“They
reeled..
.like a
deer on
the
moon.”
Symbolism
of the
movements
of dance
and
alluding to
Diana
Moon
Glampers
The use of culmination to
describe their dance
movements offers
symbolism to the very
notion of dance. In the
beginning of the story
dance is conducted the
way authority saw fit and
with the shackles of chains.
Here the pair are using
dance as a symbol to mock
authority and to emphasis
their freedom of the chains.
The mockery of authority
continues through the line
‘They leaped like deer on
the moon’ which directly
alludes to Diana Moon
Glampers.
oWhen Julia and Winston
are in Mr. Charrington’s
rented room and a rat is
seen. The reaction and
conversation about the rat
and the sub-text behind
their conversation can be
a possible link. The rat is
used as a symbol for Big
Brother. This is Winston's
ultimate fear. The contrast
here is that the rats are
used to highlight
Winston’s fear while
Harrison uses reference to
authority as a mockery to
show his defiance.