General Dystopian Trivia
Name one of the characteristics found in nearly every piece of dystopian fiction.
Possible answers: environmental destruction, government control, loss of individualism, survival, technological control
Why didn't Hazel have a mental handicap?
She was "average" intelligence; she could only think in short bursts
At what time of day does the story begin?
Morning
"an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect"
Utopia
What is the vocabulary term that is a synonym for "disagree"?
Hint: sounds similar
Dissent
"Utopia" is a Greek word. What does it literally translate to in English?
No place
What was the main job of the Handicapper General?
To enforce handicaps; to make sure that no one was better than anyone else
The tiny cleaning robots that scurry throughout the house are called what?
Mice
"imaginary, futuristic place where people are unhappy and usually afraid because they are not treated fairly"
Dystopia
Name one other popular work by Kurt Vonnegut (not including “Harrison Bergeron.”)
Possible answers: Slaughterhouse Five, Cat's Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, The Sirens of Titan
At their heart, dystopias are what?
Cautionary tales
Why were the ballerinas wearing masks?
To equalize their beauty
What substance was knocked over onto the stove, causing the house to ignite?
Hint: this is a vocab word
(Cleaning) solvent
"a filled-in drawing of the outline of an object"
Silhouette
In "There Will Come Soft Rains," what is burned into the side of the house?
The silhouettes of the family that lived there
What story is considered to be one of the earliest pieces of dystopian fiction?
Gulliver's Travels
What reason does Hazel give to George for her crying at the end of the story?
She saw something sad on TV.
Fill in the blank. The house is described as an "altar to the __________."
Dead gods
"any of the larger branches of a tree"
Bough
The story, “There Will Come Soft Rains,” is inspired by a poem of the same name. Who wrote the 1918 poem?
Name a book written about a "real-life dystopia" that we discussed in class.
Possible answers: We, Animal Farm, 1984, It Can’t Happen Here
What is the author of "Harrison Bergeron" warning readers of?
The danger of trying to make everyone equal
What does the poem imply about humanity?
Nature does not care if humans live or die.
"sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion"
Consternation
What year was "Harrison Bergeron" published?
1961