Critiques of American Society in Science Fiction

Question 1

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."Hazel had a perfectly average intelligence, which meant she couldn’t think about anything except in short bursts. And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.How could this excerpt serve as a warning about the consequences of forced uniformity?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

by implying that forced uniformity interferes with individuals’ intellectual development ✓ Correct

Question 2

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren’t only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General. The author is describing a society that is

Revolt · Accepted Answer

uniform.

Question 3

most

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality.

Question 4

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."A police photograph of Harrison Bergeron was flashed on the screen—upside down, then sideways, upside down again, then right side up.This excerpt is an example of satire because it humorously

Revolt · Accepted Answer

exposes the incompetence that this society views as normal.

Question 5

The musicians scrambled back into their chairs, and Harrison stripped them of their handicaps, too. “Play your best,” he told them, “and I’ll make you barons and dukes and earls.”The music began. It was normal at first—cheap, silly, false. But Harrison snatched two musicians from their chairs, waved them like batons as he sang the music as he wanted it played. He slammed them back into their chairs.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The normal music is described as the opposite of what is expected.

Question 6

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."“That’s all right—” Hazel said of the announcer, “he tried. That’s the big thing. He tried to do the best he could with what God gave him. He should get a nice raise for trying so hard.”How do Hazel’s comments help Vonnegut develop his critique of society in the United States?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

They illustrate the absurdity of trying to make everyone the same.

Question 7

“I think I’d make a good Handicapper General.”“Good as anybody else,” said George.“Who knows better’n I do what normal is?” said Hazel.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

It depicts her as a flat character because she represents the stereotype of average intelligence.

Question 8

And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of their brains.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Handicapping intelligence contradicts expectations because intelligence is normally considered a positive attribute.

Question 9

most

Revolt · Accepted Answer

competition

Question 10

In "Harrison Bergeron," Vonnegut includes the character of Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, to

Revolt · Accepted Answer

represent the real dangers of an oppressive government.

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