directions: brainstorm your answers to the fo...
directions: brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. be prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion.\n1. what do you think of the governments policy of assigning more handicaps to some people than others? how do the handicaps enforce sameness rather than equality?\n2. in the story, people are reluctant to join harrison and take off their handicaps. why do you think this is?\n3. in the story, how does the government enforce these handicaps? how does the government enforce order in our society today?\n4. in the context of the short story, what should the future look like? what implications does this story have for how people and the government should act?\n5. consider the dance scene with the ballerina. why do you think the author chose to include and describe it in detail?\n6. why did kurt vonnegut write \harrison bergeron\? what ideas or programs in american society might vonnegut be ridiculing?\n7. does harrison bergeron act heroically by rebelling against the rules of society? why or why not?
Answer
# Brief Explanations:
1. The government - assigned handicaps in the story seem to create a false sense of sameness by suppressing individual talents rather than promoting true equality. True equality should empower all, not limit some.
2. People are reluctant to join Harrison likely due to fear of the government's strict enforcement and the long - ingrained acceptance of the status quo.
3. In the story, the government enforces handicaps through surveillance and punishment. In real - world society today, order is enforced through laws, regulations, and law - enforcement agencies.
4. In the context of the story, a better future would likely involve the removal of handicaps and the celebration of individual differences. It implies that people should stand up for their true selves and the government should support individual freedom.
5. The detailed description of the ballerina's dance scene emphasizes the beauty and talent that are being suppressed by the handicaps, highlighting the loss to society.
6. Vonnegut likely wrote "Harrison Bergeron" to satirize programs in American society that over - emphasize equality at the expense of individual achievement, like some extreme forms of affirmative action or equalization policies.
7. Harrison can be seen as heroic as he rebels against a system that suppresses individuality. However, his actions are also chaotic and may not have a well - thought - out plan for long - term change.
# Answer:
1. The handicaps create false sameness by suppressing talent instead of promoting true equality.
2. Fear of the government and acceptance of the status quo.
3. Through surveillance and punishment; through laws and law - enforcement.
4. A future without handicaps; people should embrace individuality and the government should support it.
5. To emphasize the suppressed beauty and talent.
6. To satirize over - emphasized equality programs in American society.
7. He can be seen as heroic for rebelling against suppression, but his actions lack a long - term plan.