Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Born on November 11, 1922, in Indianapolis, Indiana

During WW2, he was a POW in Dresden

In the year 2081, everyone is equal. However, the equality is enforced by the government and above average people are handicapped. Everyone is oppressed, and is glad they are. A convict named Harrison Bergeron appears on television declaring himself the emperor, only to be shot dead by the Handicapper General. Live returned to normal soon after

Theme
Government Regulation:
"He had a little mental handicap transmitter in his ear. He was required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter."

Theme
Equality:
"They weren't equal before God and the law. They were equal in every which way.''

Themes
Disabilities:
"I'd think it would be real interesting, hearing all the different sounds,"
said Hazel a little envious.

Hazel Bergeron:
Protagonist,
Static,
She questions the authority

George Bergeron:
Protagonist,
Static,
Supports the government in their mission to handicap everyone

The story is told from the third person limited point of view

This is important because the only the thoughts of George Bergeron are reviled

The story is told from the third person limited point of view

This is important because the only the thoughts of George Bergeron are reviled

Untitled Slide

The story is told from the third person limited point of view

This is important because the only the thoughts of George Bergeron are reviled

Untitled Slide

The story was written in a nonchalant tone. The author's mood is one of acceptance, because he seems to accept the circumstances of the situation.
"Yup," she said. "What about?" he said. "I forget," she said.

Setting
The story was set in the year 2081. The setting is important because they utilize some of the same technology we have and some different.
"forty seven pounds of birdshot in a canvas bag"

Foreshadowing
The title along with the introduction of the characters foreshadows the resurrection of their forgotten son, Harrison Bergeron.
"took George and Hazel Bergeron's fourteen-year-old son, Harrison, away."

Conflict
Free Will vs. Government
"The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?"

Hyperbole:
"they remained suspended in air inches below the ceiling"

Simile
"His thoughts fled in panic, like bandits from a burglar alarm"

Metaphor
"Her voice was a warm, luminous, timeless melody."

As human beings, we say things are "unfair," and declare teams "uneven." Kurt Vonnegut took this idea to the extreme and made everyone completely equal. This work of literature demonstrates life when equality and oppression rule. Without diversity, life is tedious and bland.

WORKS SITED

• http://literarydevices.net/imagery/
• http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-tone-in-a-story.html
• http://www.scribendi.com/advice/theplotskeleton.en.html
• http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Vonnegut
• Shmoop.com