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Discussion Questions For Harrison Bergeron

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Interviewer: Good evening Mr. Vonnegut, how was your day? Mr. Vonnegut: Good evening to you as well, my day has been great so far. Interviewer: That is great to know, in this interview I will be asking you some questions regarding your short story ‘Harrison Bergeron.’ Mr. Vonnegut: Okay, let us begin. Interviewer: How were you able to use themes which create the story? Mr. Vonnegut: the story I used three main themes, which are the dangers of extreme equality, the power of the television and the illusion of freedom. To execute the use of extreme equality the American government enforces total equality to the citizens by giving handicaps to the people with remarkable ability and to people who are beautiful, the handicaps used to dumb …show more content…

Vonnegut: Harrison Bergeron symbolizes the hope and spark for individuality in a place where everyone is equal, he does not have the cowardness and the obedience like the others, he stands out strong smart and great looking, and a person who is hungry for power and drives to be the emperor, which is stated when he stood at the center of the studio and cries out “I am the Emperor!”. Harrison might sound power-mad but n his perspective it is very understandable why he felt that way in that kind of environment even though his boastfulness is exaggerated it is an expression of his defiance to outstand how Americans felt. When Harrison forcefully took off his handicaps it is to show the viewers also restraint that they also are of something more capable. However, in the end due to Harrison’s defiance, he gets shot by the government and suggests anyone who does the same actions as Harrison’s is outnumbered by the government. Interviewer: How were you able to use irony throughout the text? Mr. Vonnegut: The way I used irony states something to contrast of what it appears for example in the beginning of the story “everybody was finally equal.” The outcome for equality is contrary to what is predicted in a dystopian society that enforces artificial handicaps that make everyone equally disadvantaged instead of everyone equally advantaged. Interviewer: what was the motif of the ballet

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