Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this story.
Part A
What is a major theme of “Harrison Bergeron”?
Close-minded people are a threat to beauty, individuality, and self-expression.
Total equality is a good goal for society.
People of average intelligence should allow themselves to be ruled by others.
Technology effectively allows citizens to observe what their government does.
Part B
Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?
When Harrison appears on the TV screen, he shouts, “Do you hear? I am the Emperor!”
The text describes how Diana Moon Glampers “fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead….”
The government uses television as a tool, as shown when the program Hazel and George watch is “suddenly interrupted for a news bulletin” about Harrison’s escape.
The story begins by stating that “everyone was finally equal” and describes how hard the government works to create a totally equal society.