“Harrison Bergeron”
Reading Check and Literary Analysis
Directions: Read the short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Then answer the questions in
COMPLETE SENTENCES.
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From what point of view is the story told? (Be as specific as possible)
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Who is the story’s protagonist?
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Who is the story’s antagonist?
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Describe the setting and genre of the story?
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What is the theme of the story?
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Find an example of allusion in the story.
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What is the author satirizing?
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Label and explain the archetypes for Harrison, George, Hazel and Diana.
1. What has guaranteed equality in the story?
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2. How old is Harrison? What has happened to him and why?
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3. How has the government made George and Hazel equal? What does George
have to wear? What does this do?
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4. What is the consequence for lessening the weight of the handicap bag?
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5. What reason does George give for not trying to cheat? What does this tell us
about George’s opinion of the current laws?
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6. Why isn’t the news bulletin clear at first?
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7. Describe Harrison Bergeron with all of his handicaps.
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8. What does Harrison declare on television?
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9. What happens to Harrison? Be specific.
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