Harrison Bergeron Themes Kurt Vonnegut This Study Guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Harrison Bergeron. PDF
Word
Print
This section contains 1,234 words (approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page) Get Harrison Bergeron from Amazon.com
View a FREE sample
View the Study Pack
Freedom
Study Guide Order our Harrison Bergeron Study Guide
Introduction Author Biography Plot Summary
As a theme, freedom remains in the background of the story, emerging when Harrison escapes from jail. In the story's futuristic society, freedom is no longer a bedrock American value; enforcing the law that makes those who are "above normal" equal to those who are "normal" has become the major social value. Forced equality by handicapping the abovenormal individuals evolved as a response to the demonized concept of competition (which existed in "the dark ages") in all its possible forms. Vonnegut suggests that freedom can be taken away relatively easily, especially since the forced equality in the story has been authorized by Amendments to the Constitution.
Civil rights have become extinct in "Harrison Bergeron." The culture values mediocrity to the point that the people accept oppressive measures in the name of equality. Ironically, no one really benefits from these misguided attempts to enforce equality, except perhaps... (read more)
Style
This section contains 1,234 words (approx. 4 pages at 400 words per page)
Historical Context Critical Overview
View a FREE sample
+ Essays Topics for Further Study Compare and Contrast What Do I Read Next? Further Study Bibliography Copyright Information Order our Harrison Bergeron Study Guide
More summaries and resources for teaching or studying Harrison Bergeron. Browse all BookRags Study Guides.
About BookRags | Customer Service | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy Copyright 2018 by BookRags, Inc.
What is the narrator point of view in Harrison Bergeron b... What is the theme in Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut? How does harrison rebel against the laws of 2081? (book H... In Harrison Bergeron, why do harrison and the ballerina p... What is the author's tone in Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vo... View more questions on this topic Ask a Question >>
FOLLOW BOOKRAGS:
Harrison Bergeron Themes - BookRags.com
Sign Up |
Sign In
? HELP
Harrison Bergeron Themes Kurt Vonnegut This Study Guide consists of approximately 40 pages of chapter summaries, quotes...
