Harrison Bergeron Comprehension Questions
Recall (right there on the page):
1. Why does the government handicap George but not Hazel?
2.
Why is the government looking for Harrison?
3.
What does the Handicapper General do to Harrison?
4.
Why don’t Harrison’s parents respond with more feeling to what they have seen?
Draw Conclusions (Read between the lines):
5. Look back at details about the society depicted in the story. What overall conclusions can you draw about this
society? Consider how people must function and what has become normal.
Plot & Conflict:
6. What is the main conflict in the story?
7.
How is the conflict resolved?
8.
Is the resolution portrayed as a positive or negative outcome?
Interpreting Theme:
9. What is Vonnegut saying about improving society by making everyone average? Support your opinion with evidence
from the story and include the author’s purpose.
Claim: The main theme or message Vonnegut wants the reader to understand is…______________________________________________
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Evidence #1 (Concrete Detail/Quote):___________________________________________________________________________________
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Commentary 1 (Explanation of evidence):________________________________________________________________________________
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Commentary 2 (How does evidence support claim?)_______________________________________________________________________
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Evidence #2 (Concrete Detail/Quote):___________________________________________________________________________________
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Commentary 1 (Explanation of evidence):________________________________________________________________________________
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Commentary 2 (How does evidence support claim?)_______________________________________________________________________
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Closing Sentence (Summarize what you said): Kurt Vonnegut wrote “Harrison Bergeron” because…_________________________________
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