HARRISON BERGERON KURT VONNEGUT JR SATIRE SCIENCE FICTION

HARRISON BERGERON KURT VONNEGUT JR. SATIRE & SCIENCE FICTION

BACKGROUND & SETTING • 2081 – United States • 1961 interpretation of the future • Backward society – no ambition/competition - how did society get this way? • Intentional dig at Communism and Socialism – demonstration of how weak could make a society?

CHARACTERS • Harrison Bergeron – at 14, he is 7’ tall, insanely strong and genius – can break out of jail and declare himself emperor. Vonnegut suggests that if he can’t overthrow the govt. , no one can. Hope for Americans has been crushed and no chance of escaping laws of equality • Hazel Bergeron – Harrison’s mother. Low iq and helpless. • George Bergeron – Harrison’s father. Both very intelligent and strong, he must wear weights and a radio to hinder his handicaps. Obedient and emotionally barren.

CHARACTERS • Diana Moon Glampers – Handicapper General in US. In charge of disabling the above average. Kills Harrison and his empress. • Ballerina-turned-announcer – most talented bc wears most weights. Also extremely beautiful (wears gruesome mask). Must disguise voice – apologizes to crowd • The Empress/ballerina – Is the first to stand beside HB (possibly B-turned-A). Is assassinated with HB. • The Announcer – has terrible speech impediment as do all announcers. Cannot convey message of escape of HB

SYMBOLS • Harrison Bergeron – Defiance and individuality that still exists in some Americans. The quick assassination suggests that any last hope that may still exist is coming to an end • Weights – oppression. Have opposite effect – makes HB stronger! (soars) Too much gov’t control weighs us down vs get off the couch and pull your own weight! • Radios/noise – call to inaction (sirens). Represent subconscious feeling that something isn’t right but doing nothing. • Masks – really a symbol of equality? Can still tell that one is more attractive than another by the “ugliness” of the mask. Equality = everyone wearing the same mask

PLOT • In 2081 everyone is equal – handicapped to ensure no one is smarter, uglier, stronger, or faster than anyone else. • George and Hazel have son taken away by gov’t. Don’t understand bc Hazel is of average intelligence (average at this time meant you are unable to think for extended periods of time) and George is forced to wear a radio which restricts his mental capacity. • George and Hazel are watching a ballet on tv. Some ballerinas wear mask to hide their good looks while others are weighted down to diminish their talents. • George struggles with his handicaps but understands that if he broke the law and removed the weights, the world would return to its competitive ways.

PLOT • A bulletin announces that Harrison Bergeron has escaped jail. • HB then appears on stage, rips off his handicaps and announces he is the new emperor and takes an empress. • HB and the ballerina dance, kiss, and float. • Diana Moon Glampers, Handicapper General, shoots and kills HB and his ballerina • George returns to the tv, having left to get a beer and missing the events, finds Hazel crying (she cannot remember why)

LANGUAGE • 3 rd person objective • Journalistic in ability to deliver facts • Beautifully descriptive during flight dance (what life is missing) • Tone: calm, almost deadpan. Deathly serious but hilarious?

THEMES • Rules and Order – Hierarchy of Power • Competition • Manipulation • Appearances (Appearance vs Reality) • Strengths vs Weaknesses