- Please respond with your reaction to the story in no fewer than 5 sentences. What is Vonnegut trying to accomplish with this story? What specific parts of the story were shocking, confusing, funny, serious, or even scary? Be as specific as possible. Think of possible themes for this story. Due before class on Monday(9/13)
Friday, September 10, 2010
"Harrison Bergeron" Blog
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I think that this is a world i would definitely not want to live in. Being different is what makes the world good. If everyone was the same their would be no point in living. I thought it was crazy that they went to such extremes to keep it equal, like creating all of the handicaps. I think Vonnegut was trying to say that a world where everybody is the same is not a good world so be yourself.
ReplyDeleteI think Vonnegut was trying to show us how our future might result in on the negative point of view. We are always thinking that everything is going to get better in the future. I can not even start to think about how sad it is to have to live with that earpiece and never being able to finish a thought. With this somewhat ruler who wants his people to be dumb, he has lost his true power because it is like controlling robots that cant do anything. It has weakened the human race dramatically.
ReplyDeletethe point trying to be put across is that sometimes when u say life is unfair, well thats the way it is suppose to be. without competition life wouldn't be life, there would be nothing to live for. the beauty of being imperfect just adds character to the rest of the world. the point in the story that i found scary is that i can see people giving out handicaps thinking that if everyone was equal, the worlds problems in general would be reduced, but in reality having everyone equal makes it so that no one person is better that the other. which makes it so that the world would never get anything done because there would be no discoveries because everyone is just kind of smart.
ReplyDeleteThis story is very strange, and obviously very harsh. When everybody has different talents that makes the world a better place. Yes everyone should have equal human rights, but people should be allowed to use their talents to their best ability. That is the reason that God gave them to us.
ReplyDeleteThis story was... confusing. It starts out like that with words not really used, and with nouns and objects that are confusing like, "pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag" (2), i thought it was that birds where killed and stuffed in a sack. But passing that part and the inhumane punishments and strict Handicap laws, the story made sence of how he wanted to show what a true person is from what is given to him instead of a fake person made from machine parts and weights. But it was sad that he was killed but good that she died, free, and dancing with his "empress." Sucks that he wouldn't be remembered by his parents.
ReplyDeleteBP
I think Vonnegut was trying to send the message that if everyone was equal, there would still be chaos in the world. We need over achievers and people who excel more than others in the world in order to advance in any time of production. I found it ironic how the government tried to make the world a better place, but it just ended up with chaos in the end, and people who speak at maybe a fifth grade level. The possible theme of this story could be equality is not always the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteAt first this story was a little confusing. However, after reading more, I figured it out. It was scary how everyone had to be equal. It was also frightening how the people are "made equal" by a group of people. Yet, this group of people did not have to be equal like everybody else, and punished or killed anyone who took off their weights, masks, or whatever device they had on to be equal. It was also strange because the people still believed in God, and God probably wouldn't want people to deny the talents He gave them. I believe Vonnegut is showing us that being different and better at some things than others is a good thing. It is good to have competition, because that improves the competitors.
ReplyDeleteUhhh, that world would be absolutely ridicule. I would not last one day, though what was interesting, they took out religion and free will it-self. Apparently the child of the two main characters was the one that infiltrated the TV station, and was the whole U.S. or world watching that SAME TV station?
ReplyDelete-CD
This story was a very different story. FIrst off it was based in 2081. 2nd everyone was equal. I don't believe that was right because everyone should have their own talents and be unique in their own way. i think he was trying to say that if we keep trying to be like each other instead of being ourselves that this is what the future will be like. Boring
ReplyDeletefalyn
The story was really weird. I think Vonnegut was trying to show how horrible the world would be if everyone was the same. All the people were pretty much being controlled and were like little robots and it was really odd. It would be horrible to never be able to finish what you were thinking and not be yourself. The whole concept of the story was just weird.
ReplyDeleteBG
I think Vonnegut was trying to show that being different is what makes us who we are. If everyone was the same, there would be nothing that would differentiate us from others. In some ways this is good, but it's no fun being the same as everybody else. Also I think he was trying to show that even in a world where everyone is equal (which is a good thing), not everyone is going to be happy and there are going to be people who try to change it. The world is never going to be perfect. The thing I found scary was that I could see people walking around with those handicaps looking like robots and it would be terrible if you couldn't finish a thought just because you were smarter than other people.
ReplyDeleteWell-done, people!
ReplyDeleteThis story is almost impossible to relate to. i guess he wast trying to show what the future would be like if everybody was the same. He also showed that people will always be against the ruler or what ever law is being inforced. But that view is good so you can have two sides of the story.
ReplyDeleteGJW
This story reminded me a lot of the Giver. I liked the giver but it was hard to understand just like this one. It was interesting to read about the future. I like to read about the future it is always really creative.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't like this story at all, living in that world would be hell. I think that Vonnegut was trying to show people to be proud of who they are and what they do are act like or think like is their unique thing. Having all your characteristics taken away from them makes them feel dead, as if there not themselves. The specific gadgets and gear they have to wear seems painful, and I would hate to live that way.
ReplyDelete