Create a post of a minimum of 250 words that answers the following questions. Number your responses but do not copy the questions.
"Harrison Bergeron"
- Do you cheer for Harrison’s success? Why or why not? What do you admire about Harrison? Are there aspects of his behavior that concern you?
- What is the significance of the dance that Harrison performs with the ballerina? Why do you think Vonnegut decided to write the dance scene the way he did?
- With whom do you think Vonnegut sympathizes in the story? Does he present Harrison as a hero, or is the story hero-less? Why?
- I've mentioned that dystopian fiction almost always provides a critique of the society in which the writer lives. What about 1960s American society do you think Vonnegut was criticizing? Were he alive and writing about our current society, what might he want to criticize? In other words, how does the story relate to our current moment?
Full Answer Section
- The Ballet of Rebellion: Symbolism and Impact:
Harrison's dance with the ballerina transcends mere entertainment. It is a symbolic rebellion against the Handicapping Amendment. Each removed handicap – the weights, the mask, the headphones – visually strips away the artificial equality, revealing the natural beauty and grace hidden beneath. The ballerina's silence, initially forced by her handicaps, becomes a powerful tool of expression. Their shared defiance, culminating in their soaring heights, is a poignant image of freedom, a glimpse of what could be. Vonnegut uses this scene to paint a stark contrast between imposed limitations and the unbridled potential of humanity.
- A Hero-less Dystopia: Sympathy and Ambiguity:
Empathy in "Harrison Bergeron" feels fragmented. We sympathize with Harrison's plight, understand George's conflicted loyalty, and even pity the Handicappers trapped in their thankless task. However, Vonnegut avoids creating a clear hero. Harrison's flaws and George's passivity challenge traditional hero archetypes. This ambiguity forces readers to grapple with the story's complexities and question easy solutions. The lack of a hero reflects the story's deeper message: true change requires collective action, not just individual bravery.
- Echoes of the Past and Shadows of Today:
Written in the 1960s, "Harrison Bergeron" critiques the stifling conformity and blind obedience that pervaded American society during the Cold War. The Handicapping Amendment stands as a chilling metaphor for McCarthyism and its suppression of dissent. However, the story's relevance extends beyond its historical context. In our current era of social media echo chambers and political polarization, the dangers of uniformity and groupthink feel eerily familiar. Vonnegut might today criticize the weaponization of information, the erosion of privacy, and the growing influence of corporate and technological monopolies that limit individual choice and expression.
Ultimately, "Harrison Bergeron" is a cautionary tale, a reminder that the pursuit of equality can morph into tyranny. By stripping away layers of artificiality, both in the story and in our own lives, we can strive for a society that celebrates individual differences while fostering collective well-being. The haunting dance of rebellion remains a powerful call to action, urging us to question authority, resist conformity, and fight for a more just and equitable future.
Sample Answer
Deconstructing "Harrison Bergeron": A Dance with Morality and Critique
- Harrison's Rebellion: Admiration and Unease:
My cheer for Harrison is a hesitant one. His defiance against the enforced equality is undeniably heroic, a rebellion against a suffocating system. We admire his strength, intelligence, and audacity in reclaiming his natural gifts, briefly tasting the forbidden freedom. However, his methods raise concerns. The public humiliation he inflicts on others through his performance feels cruel, even if fueled by righteous anger. This duality – his noble cause tainted by questionable means – keeps our emotions in limbo.