Answers NC-English Language Arts 11Zora Neale Hurston’s Strong Voice

Critiques of American Society in Science Fiction Answers

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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?

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

They emphasize the importance of having compassion for others.

They emphasize the importance of doing one’s best.

They illustrate the need for laws that enforce equality.

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Based on "Harrison Bergeron," which statement would Kurt Vonnegut most likely support?

Achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality.

Maintaining a stable society necessitates strict obedience to laws and rules.

Trying one’s best at any particular task is as good as achieving success.

Developing new technologies brings positive advancements to a society.

In "Harrison Bergeron," why is Harrison Bergeron’s character considered a danger to society?

He is more physically and intellectually capable than others and this threatens their sense of equality.

He calls himself the Emperor and has constructed a detailed plot to overthrow the government.

He breaks into the studio and kidnaps a ballerina.

He is able to easily remove his handicap radio device.

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

uniform.

fair.

competitive.

free.

Which of the following excerpts from "Harrison Bergeron" best illustrates irony?

“If you see this boy,” said the ballerina, “do not—I repeat, do not—try to reason with him.”

“He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous.”

“My God—” said George, “that must be Harrison!”

“Gee—I could tell that one was a doozy,” said Hazel.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."“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.How does the dialogue develop Hazel’s character?

It depicts her as a round character because she is looking to change her career.

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

It depicts her as a round character because she is good at something, which makes her better than her peers.

It depicts her as a flat character because she is unclear about what normal means.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."“Ladies and gentlemen—” said the ballerina, reading the bulletin. She must have been extraordinarily beautiful, because the mask she wore was hideous. And it was easy to see that she was the strongest and most graceful of all the dancers, for her handicap bags were as big as those worn by two-hundred-pound men.What is ironic about this excerpt?

The ballerina is described as beautiful, but she is actually hideous.

The news bulletin being read on the television is about Harrison.

The ballerina is able to read the news bulletin flawlessly while wearing a mask and handicap bags.

The handicaps devised to conceal the ballerina’s strength and beauty actually accentuate them.

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

exposes the incompetence that this society views as normal.

portrays Harrison Bergeron as being more dangerous than he really is.

exaggerates the effects of George Bergeron’s handicaps.

illustrates how television and other media control society.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."“All of a sudden you look so tired,” said Hazel. “Why don’t you stretch out on the sofa, so’s you can rest your handicap bag on the pillows, honeybunch.” She was referring to the forty-seven pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag, which was padlocked around George’s neck. “Go on and rest the bag for a little while,” she said. “I don’t care if you’re not equal to me for a while.”George weighed the bag with his hands. “I don’t mind it,” he said. “I don’t notice it any more. It’s just a part of me.”This dialogue between George and Hazel portrays George as a

static character because he has accepted society’s rules and does not try to challenge them.

dynamic character because he makes sacrifices so that Hazel can feel good about herself.

static character because he does not report Hazel to the Handicapper General for her suggestion.

dynamic character because he needs handicap device to control his strength and intelligence.

Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."“I am the Emperor!” cried Harrison. “Do you hear? I am the Emperor! Everybody must do what I say at once!” He stamped his foot and the studio shook.“Even as I stand here—” he bellowed, “crippled, hobbled, sickened—I am a greater ruler than any man who ever lived! Now watch me become what I can become!” Harrison tore the straps of his handicap harness like wet tissue paper, tore straps guaranteed to support five thousand pounds. Harrison’s scrap-iron handicaps crashed to the floor.What do Harrison’s words and actions reveal about his character?

He wants to become like the Handicapper General and have absolute power.

He wants to rebel against the law and show off his true self.

He wants to force everyone to appreciate music and dancing.

He wants to make the people watching television fear for their lives.

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