Critiques Of American Society In Science Fiction

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."The musicians scrambled back into their chairs, and Harrison stripped them of their handicaps, too. "Play your best," he told them, "and I'll make you barons and dukes and earls."The music began. It was normal at first—cheap, silly, false. But Harrison snatched two musicians from their chairs, waved them like batons as he sang the music as he wanted it played. He slammed them back into their chairs.How does Vonnegut use irony in this excerpt? The musicians are described as the opposite of what is expected. The normal music is described as the opposite of what is expected. Harrison's actions contradict his character. Harrison's words contradict his character.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldn't think about anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.How could this excerpt serve as a warning about the consequences of forced uniformity? by suggesting that forced uniformity specifically benefits individuals who are not smart by suggesting that forced uniformity encourages certain people to break the law by implying that forced uniformity interferes with individuals' intellectual development by implying that forced uniformity hampers a society's ability to use new technologies

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."Scrap metal was hung all over him. Ordinarily, there was a certain symmetry, a military neatness to the handicaps issued to strong people, but Harrison looked like a walking junkyard. In the race of life, Harrison carried three hundred pounds. And to offset his good looks, the H-G men required that he wear at all times a red rubber ball for a nose, keep his eyebrows shaved off, and cover his even white teeth with black caps at snaggle-tooth random. How does Harrison Bergeron's physical description help to create satire? The contrast of military neatness with Harrison's appearance highlights the importance of sameness. The absurdity of Harrison's exaggerated handicaps ridicules society's obsession with equality. The humorous description of Harrison's appearance suggests that good looks are unimportant. The numerous handicaps issued to Harrison criticize society's obsession with superficial appearances.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron.""All of a sudden you look so tired," said Hazel. "Why don't you stretch out on the sofa, so's you can rest your handicap bag on the pillows, honeybunch." She was referring to the forty-seven pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag, which was padlocked around George's neck. "Go on and rest the bag for a little while," she said. "I don't care if you're not equal to me for a while."George weighed the bag with his hands. "I don't mind it," he said. "I don't notice it any more. It's just a part of me."This dialogue between George and Hazel portrays George as a static character because he has accepted society's rules and does not try to challenge them. dynamic character because he makes sacrifices so that Hazel can feel good about herself. static character because he does not report Hazel to the Handicapper General for her suggestion. dynamic character because he needs handicaps to control his strength and intelligence.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron.""That's all right—" Hazel said of the announcer, "he tried. That's the big thing. He tried to do the best he could with what God gave him. He should get a nice raise for trying so hard."How do Hazel's comments help Vonnegut develop his critique of American society? They illustrate the absurdity of trying to make everyone equal. They emphasize the importance of having compassion for others. They emphasize the importance of doing one's best. They illustrate the need for laws that enforce equality.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."A police photograph of Harrison Bergeron was flashed on the screen—upside down, then sideways, upside down again, then right side up.This excerpt is an example of satire because it humorously exposes the incompetence that this society views as normal. portrays Harrison Bergeron as being more dangerous than he really is. exaggerates the effects of George Bergeron's handicaps. illustrates how television and other media control society.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron.""I am the Emperor!" cried Harrison. "Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!" He stamped his foot and the studio shook."Even as I stand here—" he bellowed, "crippled, hobbled, sickened—I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!"What do Harrison's words and actions reveal about his character? He wants to become like the Handicapper General and have absolute power. He wants to rebel against the law and show off his superior gifts. He wants to force everyone to appreciate music and dancing. He wants to make the people watching television fear for their lives.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains. How is this excerpt an example of irony? Handicapping intelligence contradicts expectations because intelligence is normally considered a positive attribute. Handicapping intelligence is pointless because determining whether one's intelligence is above normal is a matter of opinion. If George were really that intelligent, he would remove the device from his ear. The mental handicap radio is incapable of correcting physical advantages.

Based on "Harrison Bergeron," which statement would Kurt Vonnegut most likely support? Achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality. Maintaining a stable society necessitates strict obedience to laws and rules. Trying one's best at any particular task is as good as achieving success. Developing new technologies brings positive advancements to a society.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."He tried to think a little about the ballerinas. They weren't really very good—no better than anybody else would have been, anyway. They were burdened with sash-weights and bags of birdshot, and their faces were masked, so that no one, seeing a free and graceful gesture or a pretty face, would feel like something the cat drug in. George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn't be handicapped. This excerpt best illustrates Kurt Vonnegut's message that everyone in a society should have equal talent and beauty. advances in technology should be closely monitored. television viewing limits individual thought and creativity. absolute equality prevents personal freedoms of expression.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron.""I think I'd make a good Handicapper General.""Good as anybody else," said George."Who knows better'n I do what normal is?" said Hazel.How does the dialogue develop Hazel's character? It depicts her as a round character because she is looking to change her career. It depicts her as a flat character because she represents the stereotype of perfectly average intelligence. It depicts her as a round character because she is good at something, which makes her better than her peers. It depicts her as a flat character because she is unclear about what normal means.

Which of the following excerpts from "Harrison Bergeron" best illustrates irony? "If you see this boy," said the ballerina, "do not—I repeat, do not—try to reason with him." "He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous." "My God—" said George, "that must be Harrison!" "Gee—I could tell that one was a doozy," said Hazel.

Which condition is considered most dangerous by George and Hazel Bergeron in "Harrison Bergeron"? conformity handicap equality competition