prepared to share your original ideas in a cl...
prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion. 1. 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? 2. in the story, people are reluctant to join harrison and take off their handicaps. why do you think this is? 3. in the story, how does the government enforce these handicaps? how does the government enforce order in our society today? 4. 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? 5. consider the dance scene with the ballerina. why do you think the author chose to include and describe it in detail? 6. why did kurt vonnegut write \harrison bergeron\? what ideas or programs in american society might vonnegut be ridiculing? 7. does harrison bergeron act heroically by rebelling against the rules of society? why or why not?
Answer
# Brief Explanations:
1. The government's handicap - assigning policy in the story aims for sameness by artificially suppressing individual differences rather than promoting true equality. Handicaps limit the more talented to make them on - par with others.
2. People are reluctant to join Harrison due to fear of the government's strict enforcement and the indoctrination that the handicaps are for the common good.
3. In the story, the government enforces handicaps through strict laws and the use of agents. In real - world society today, order is enforced through laws, police, and social institutions.
4. In the story's context, the future should be one where individuality is celebrated. The story implies that people should value their uniqueness and governments should not over - regulate to the point of suppressing individuality.
5. The author included the ballerina dance scene to vividly show the absurdity of handicaps, as the ballerina's natural grace is hindered by them.
6. Vonnegut wrote "Harrison Bergeron" to satirize the idea of forced equality in American society, such as some over - reaching social programs that try to make everyone equal in an artificial way.
7. Harrison can be seen as heroic as he rebels against a repressive system that suppresses individuality, but some may argue his actions are too extreme and chaotic.
# Answer:
1. The policy is a means of creating sameness by suppressing differences, not true equality.
2. Fear of government and indoctrination.
3. Through strict laws and agents; in real - world through laws, police, etc.
4. A future that celebrates individuality; people should value uniqueness, governments should not over - regulate.
5. To show the absurdity of handicaps.
6. To satirize forced equality in American society.
7. He can be seen as heroic for rebelling against a repressive system, but his actions may be considered extreme.