Harrison Bergeron Questions
1. What does the first sentence in the story suggest about equality? Pay attention to the
key word ‘finally.’
2. Describe George and Hazel. What do we learn about them at the beginning of the
story?
3. What does the Handicapper General and the government require of people in this
society to do if they have strength, intelligence, or beauty?
4. Identify the punishment(s) given by the Handicapper General if someone is caught
tampering with his or her handicaps.
5. On page three, George poses an interesting question to Hazel about what would
happen if people began cheating society and breaking laws. Suddenly, there is a siren
buzzing in his ear and he forgets what he was saying. What does this suggest?
6. Describe Harrison’s appearance when he appears on the television. What does the
fact that he has all the handicaps suggest about him?
7. Harrison and the ballerina are severely punished for breaking the rules of the society.
What ultimate demise do they face?
8. Compare Harrison to another character you have read about. Give specific details
explaining why they are similar.
9. Are people in Harrison’s Bergeron’s society equal? Try to defend both sides.
10. Harrison Bergeron is a satire, a kind of writing that ridicules (mocks) people’s actions
and beliefs. What belief does Vonnegut ridicule, or satirize in this story? What kind
of society is he mocking?