Homework: Answer the following questions for the short story, "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.:
- Why has handicapping become law in Bergeron's community?
- Is the society improved as a result? Comment and use evidence from the story.
- What parts of the story are most exaggerated? What is the purpose of the exaggeration?
- What do George's and Hazel's reactions at the end of the story reveal about the quality of life in their society?
- What is the situational irony in this story? What would you expect a society to be like in which everyone is equal? (Situational irony is when what happens contradicts the intended outcome of the event or action. For example: A person works out 3 times a week but gains weight.)
- What point do you think the author is making through the irony?