Harrison Bergeron
By: Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Prereading Questions: Choose &
answer 1 question.
1. Why do some people enjoy competing, while others
find it unpleasant? What are some ways in which
competing with others can help you or hurt you?
2. What laws would you pass to make people more
equal in America?
3. What would the world be like if people could only
think about or feel something for twenty seconds
before forgetting it?
4. Why do we enjoy watching people of exceptional
talent—such as athletes or dancers—perform?
First Reading
As you read the story, mark places where you
think something is tragic
and places where you think something is
humorous
.
After Reading
Remember: the society of 2081 tries to make
people equal not only “before God and the law”
but “every which way.”
* equal
* alike in quantity, value, ability, merit
*having the same privileges and rights; of
the same social rank
Second Reading
As you read the text a second time, mark places
where you feel the following topics are being
discussed. Use the legend below to code your
demarcations:
E = equality
H = handicaps
A = average
Choose & Answer 1 Question. Cite
textual evidence to support your
response.
1. What does it mean for people to be “equal
under the law”?
2. What are some other ways in which people can
be equal or unequal?
3. Do you think that the government’s motives in
trying to make all people the same were
originally good or bad?
4. Why do you think society of 2081 wants to make
everyone equally average instead of making
everyone equally able to achieve their full
potential?
Writing After Discussion: Choose &
answer 1 question (1 page minimum).
1. Do you think that Hazel is a good example of what the
average American is like? Why/not?
2. Why is it so important for individuals to have freedom
of speech and thought?
3. What are some things in today’s world that
discourage independent thinking?
4. Can society ever be fair as long as people do not have
equal talents and abilities?
5. Write your own satirical vision of the future in which
some idea or principle is carried out to an extreme
(for example, freedom of speech, animal rights, law
and order).