English 7H
“Harrison Bergeron” and Utopia Questions
Utopia (noun) An imaginary island described in a book of the same name by Sir Thomas More (1516) as having a perfect
political and social system.
1. Any idealized place, state, or situation of perfection
2. Any visionary scheme or system for an ideally perfect society
Webster’s New World Dictionary. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.: 1988.
In the early 20th century, the theories of socialism and communism, which were based on the principal of the working
class getting a more equal share of a nation’s wealth, became popular. The idea was to level the playing field so that
everyone was more equal. However, many of the nations that attempted to convert to this type of system were ruled by
dictators or totalitarian regimes, where the ruler or the government had total power over the people. What started out
as an idealistic idea became something very different. This type of system, however, was is direct opposition to the
United States’ democratic and capitalistic philosophy.
Into Question
What if all competition were removed from society?
“Vonnegut’s Political and Social Critique” from Spark Notes
“Harrison Bergeron” offers vigorous political and social criticisms of both America in general and the America of the
1960s. The political system depicted in Vonnegut’s story is distinctly American and founded on the principles of
egalitarianism, which holds that people should be equal in every way. Equality is a beloved principle enshrined in
America’s Declaration of Independence in the phrase “All men are created equal,” but Vonnegut suggests that the ideals
of egalitarianism can be dangerous if they are interpreted too literally. If the goal of equality is taken to its logical
conclusion, we may decide that people must be forced to be equal to one another in their appearance, behavior, and
achievements. “Harrison Bergeron” can also be interpreted as a direct critique of communism. In the 1960s, America
was engaged with Russia in the Cold War and had recently struggled through the McCarthy era, when suspected
communists were accused and blacklisted from artistic, literary, and political communities. The futuristic American
society of “Harrison Bergeron” operates on communist principles, supporting the idea that wealth and power should be
distributed equally and class hierarchies should not exist. Like the accused communists of the McCarthy era, anyone not
conforming to society’s accepted standards—in a reversal of sorts, anyone not adhering to the communist structure—is
sought out and punished. In his story, Vonnegut argues that such principles are foolish. It is unnatural to distribute
wealth and power equally, he suggests, and it is only by literally handicapping the best and brightest citizens that the
misguided goal of equal distribution can be attained. Similarly, it is unnatural to seek out and punish those who reject
social norms.
http://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/harrison-bergeron/section1.rhtml
After reading “Harrison Bergeron”
1. How is the idea of equality different in 2081 than it is today?
2. At the end of Vonnegut’s story, how did you feel about Hazel? George? Harrison?
3. What is the difference between believing that people are equals under the law and believing that everyone is the
same?
4. Poor Hazel says of the bumbling announcer, “…he tried. That’s the big thing.” Should people be rewarded for trying or
for actually accomplishing something? Talk about your thoughts on this complicated issue. See if talking it over with
other readers affects the way you think.
5. What do you think of the approach this society has taken to achieving equality and create a utopia, bringing everyone
down to the same low level instead of helping to build everyone up to higher levels (of intelligence, strength, grace,
beauty, etc.)?
6. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in
achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
7. "If I tried to get away with it [taking some of the lead balls out of the bag padlocked around his neck]" said George,
"then other people'd get away with it—and pretty soon we'd be right back to the dark ages again, with everybody
competing against everybody else.” The Dark Ages were a time, after the fall of the Roman Empire, when there was
constant war, plague, and cultural and economic decay. It was a time without much growth and innovation. What is
ironic about George’s comment, considering the state of his own society?
8. How does Harrison’s rebellion reveal his character and his values? What is interesting about his declaration that he is
the emperor considering what he is rebelling against? (An emperor is a sovereign ruler of great power and rank,
especially one ruling an empire.)
Now, copy this chart onto a sheet of notebook paper and complete at least two examples.
Passage from the text that relates to competition
What point do you think Vonnegut is trying to make?