The Basics
What is the setting (time and place) of the story?
2081 in the United States
What POV is the story told from?
Third person limited
What part of the plot diagram is represented by the below event?
It is 2081 and society is completely equal through the use of handicaps. George and Hazel Bergeron recently had their son, Harrison, taken away.
The exposition
Is the below quote an example of direct or indirect characterization?
"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.
Direct
What word best fits into this sentence:
I was ____________ of my neighbor's new car.
envious
Why doesn't Hazel have any handicaps?
She is completely average in every way.
How would the story have changed if it were told from Harrison's first-person POV?
We would know more about Harrison's motivations, thoughts and feelings, but we wouldn't know how his parents reacted to his death.
What part of the plot diagram is represented by the below event?
On live TV, Harrison dances with one of the ballerinas.
The falling action
Is the below quote an example of direct or indirect characterization?
"I shall now select my Empress!" he said, looking down on the cowering people. "Let the first woman who dares rise to her feet claim her mate and her throne!“
A moment passed, and then a ballerina arose, swaying like a willow.
Indirect
What word best fits into this sentence:
Although his shoulder was injured, the champion boxer would not ____________ from a fight.
Cower
Why does Harrison have so many handicaps?
He is above average in every way; he is considered dangerous by the government.
How would the story have changed if it were told from George's first-person POV?
What part of the plot diagram is best represented by the quote below?
73) It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor.
Resolution
What character trait does the below quote suggest about Hazel?
"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."
Kind, gentle, polite, dull
What is an example of something that can be synchronized?
Answers will vary.
How do George and Hazel react to Harrison's death?
George does not see what happens; Hazel forgets immediately.
Which of the following statements is a valid theme of “Harrison Bergeron”?
A) People's individual strengths should be celebrated.
B) It is dangerous if everyone in society is not exactly the same.
A
What part of the plot diagram is best represented by the quote below?
20) "Right," said George. He began to think glimmeringly about his abnormal son who was now in jail, about Harrison, but a twenty-one-gun salute in his head stopped that.
Rising action
What character trait does the below quote suggest about George?
"Two years in prison and two thousand dollars fine for every ball I took out," said George. "I don't call that a bargain.“
Law-abiding, cautious, fearful
Describe a situation that could be a hindrance to doing well in school.
Answers will vary.
What is the primary type of conflict in Harrison Bergeron?
Character vs. society
What is a theme of Harrison Bergeron?
Answers will vary.
What is the climax of Harrison Bergeron?
Harrison breaks into the studio, takes off his handicaps, and declares himself Emperor.
What are three character traits that can be used to describe Harrison?
Bold, confident, misguided, brave, aggressive
Use the word vigilance in an original sentence
Answers will vary