Summary |
Why is it science fiction? |
Harrison Bergeron is a short story written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. By the year 2081, there are 213 amendments of the constitution, three of which made everyone equal. George and Hazel Bergeron’s son, Harrison, was taken away by the Handicapper generals when he was fourteen years old. Even though it was a tragic event, they could only think about it for a short period of time. Hazel did not have any mental handicaps because she had the lowest amount of intelligence so that makes her average. George was above normal intelligence so he was required by law to wear a mental handicap radio in his ear that buzzed every twenty seconds. George had to suffer the pain of the mental handicap and Hazel did not, making her very curious and sympathetic. Or, at least she was until she forgot what she was thinking of. If the Handicapper Generals caught George disobeying the law, he would have to do two years in prison and pay a two thousand dollar fine for every ball he took out of their canvas bag padlocked around his neck. Harrison had been sent to jail for plotting to overthrow the government. He did not like the handicaps. At all times, he had to carry three hundred pounds in scrap metals because he was that much above average. Harrison stood in the middle of the television studio, which Hazel and George were watching. He ripped off all his handicaps and told everyone he would be the new emperor. When the Handicapper Generals caught him, they shot him with a shotgun. All of this happened on live TV. Hazel had been crying, but she did not remember why. Her own son had been shot and killed and she could not remember it.
|
Harrison Bergeron is an imagined writing bases on scientific technological developments. This short story takes place in the future that shows a dystopia because of the effect of scientific inventions, the handicaps.The story also shows the effect of the technological developments on society and other characters. These stories allow the reader to see the world with new eyes.
Comparison - A Sound of ThunderA Sound of Thunder and Harrison Bergeron do not have very many similarities. Both stories are imaginary writings based on current or projected scientific technological developments. That allow us to see the world with new eyes. Also in both stories, things are getting worse instead of getting better. These two stories make the reader question the modern world.
Since these two stories aren’t very similar, that means they are very different. A big difference is the setting. Sound of Thunder takes place in the past. Also, time travel is used to go even farther back in the past, around the time of the dinosaurs. In Harrison Bergeron, the story is placed in the future, 2081 to be exact. Harrison Bergeron has a dystopia and Sound of Thunder does not. The characters have limited rights because of others trying to improve society. The similarities and differences make a story interesting. |
Literary elementsProtagonist- The protagonist in the short story is Harrison himself. Most of the story focuses on his thoughts and actions. The story also focuses on how he is affected by the mental handicaps and his actions to solve the problem.
Foil- Harrison’s father, George Bergeron, is a foil character. He shows qualities that contrast with the qualities of Harrison. This is done to highlight the traits of Harrison. The two characters contrast to enhance the importance of Harrison and his role in the story. George is an acquiescent person, always following the rules and doing what others ask of him without complaint. On the other hand, Harrison is scofflaw, breaking the laws.
Flat- Hazel Bergeron is a flat character. She is uncomplicated. She is just like everyone else mentally without all of the mental handicaps. She doesn’t have to worry about getting caught without the handicaps on and getting sent to jail. She is normal. This character does not change throughout the story, even when her son is murdered on live television. She is sad for a few moments but then she forgets all about it. Last, she is predictable. The reader can tell what is going to happen with her character. She will think of something and then forget about it all together. Hazel Bergeron is a flat character.
|
Antagonist- The antagonist in the short story is the Handicapper Generals. This group of people stands in opposition to Harrison Bergeron, the protagonist. They decrease his appearance and personality with mental handicaps, trying to make everyone equal. When Harrison does not agree with this, he is sent to jail. Later, he escapes jail and speaks up for him and everyone else who is affected by mental handicaps and the Handicapper Generals end his life.
Dynamic- Harrison Bergeron is dynamic character. Because of the handicaps to make everyone equal, he acts out and is sent to jail for years. He later breaks out of jail and takes off all his handicaps in front of everyone. When the handicapper generals catch Harrison, they kill him. He undergoes and important change because of action in plot.
|