Which condition is considered most dangerous by George and Hazel Bergeron in “Harrison Bergeron”?
Scrap metal was hung all over him
.
Why is Harrison bergerons character considered a danger to society?
In “Harrison Bergeron,” why is Harrison Bergeron's character considered a danger to society?
He is physically and intellectually superior to others and threatens their sense of equality
. … He is physically and intellectually superior to others and threatens their sense of equality.
What does Hazel suggest George do in Harrison Bergeron?
Hazel thinks George
looks exhausted and urges him to lie down and rest his “handicap bag
,” forty-seven pounds of weight placed in a bag and locked around George's neck. … Hazel suggests taking a few of the weights out of the bag, but he says if everyone broke the law, society would return to its old competitive ways.
Why do George and Hazel react to their son's death in Harrison Bergeron?
Because of the handicaps that George has
, his reaction to his son's murder is brief, and because of Hazel's “low” intelligence and short attention span, hers is also underwhelming. Their son, Harrison, has been gone for a long time, imprisoned by the Handicapper General and her thugs.
What is the main message of Harrison Bergeron?
In “Harrison Bergeron,” Vonnegut suggests that
total equality is not an ideal worth striving for
, as many people believe, but a mistaken goal that is dangerous in both execution and outcome. To achieve physical and mental equality among all Americans, the government in Vonnegut's story tortures its citizens.
Is Harrison Bergeron a hero?
Harrison Bergeron is
a hero in the eyes of some
and a villain in the eyes of others. In the eyes of some readers, he is likely to be a hero, as he champions a rebellion against an oppressive government. His declaration of himself as emperor, however, indicates that his intentions may be more self-serving than heroic.
What is wrong with Hazel in Harrison Bergeron?
Her stupidity overwhelms her good nature
, preventing her from recognizing the absurdity of her society, let alone doing anything to change it.
What does the dance with the ballerina at the end symbolize?
The significance of the dance that Harrison performs with the ballerina is to represent
the way the world would be like if they were allowed to express themselves and show the world their beauty, intelligence, and any other physical attributes
.
What reason does George give for not trying to cheat?
George refuses to do so for two reasons. One reason is
that taking off the handicaps that are given by the Handicapper General will result in fines and imprisonment
. Another reason is that George feels that the handicaps people wear are part of a sort of enlightened society in which everyone is equal.
Why doesn't Hazel remember that she is crying about the death of her son?
Hazel is crying at the end of “Harrison Bergeron”
because she has just witnessed the horrific murder of her own son, Harrison
, broadcast on television. Tragically, she quickly forgets what has made her feel sad.
Who is George and Hazel's son?
The son of George and Hazel Bergeron. Fourteen years old and seven feet tall, Harrison seems to be the most advanced model the human species can produce. He is a genius who is also absurdly strong, a dancer who can also break out of prison, and a self-proclaimed emperor.
Do Harrison's parents realize that he has been killed How do they feel about that?
Harrison's
parents are not emotionally affected much at all
by the death of their son because they cannot be. … She calls George “honeybunch,” but the word feels void of emotion. Hazel's intelligence only allows the most basic of human responses.
What is the irony in Harrison Bergeron?
The irony in “Harrison Bergeron” is
how the dystopian society in the story defines “equality”
. To the government and its citizens, “equality” means to make everyone the same. We tend to see equality as guaranteeing the same rights for all people, and that includes allowing someone to be an individual.
Why do Hazel and George show very little?
Why do Hazel and George show very little
emotion about their son's death
? When Hazel and George's son rebels on TV, he is killed. Although the parents are watching, they are unable to show any emotion. This is because their handicaps prevent them from maintaining focus on one idea.
What does Harrison Bergeron symbolize?
Harrison represents
the spark of defiance and individuality that still exists in some Americans
. He has none of the cowardice and passivity that characterize nearly everyone else in the story. Rather, he is an exaggerated alpha male, a towering, brave, breathtakingly strong man who hungers for power.
Why is Harrison a hero?
Harrison Bergeron is a hero.
He rebels against a government that is bad
. Even though this way of life is working for some people, for other's it really limits their creativity, their intelligence, and all the other aspects that make them special.
