Mrs. Espinoza, English 9
Homework due: Friday, 1/20
Directions:
 Each question has a point value, so your job is to write a response for as many questions to equal
20 points.
 Write in complete sentences for full credit. (Minus 1 pt. for incomplete sentences per Q)
 We will have a discussion on Friday, so please be prepared.
15 points: Make an identity chart for Harrison Bergeron. What things influenced him? Did
Harrison have the power to define himself or did society do it for him? Harrison tried to
break the rules of his society. Should an individual go against society? If so, under what
circumstances? What might the consequences be? For this one, you should draw the identity
chart and then answer the questions. (An example of an identity chart is on the next page.)
10 points: Why were the people in the story so obedient? So willing to conform? What could
they have done to change things? Why didn’t they do so? What were the consequences of
their failure to act?
10 points: Does it take courage to fight for the things you believe in? What opportunities
have you had to stand up for what you think is right? How difficult was it? What might have
made it easier? Should it be easier?
10 points: Many individuals and families have a “grand plan” for their future. It may involve
sending their children to college, buying a home, or starting a business. Nations also devise
“grand plans.” Often those plans aim at improving society. If you were to design a “perfect”
society, what would it be like? What rights would you give individuals? How would you
balance their rights with the rights of others?
10 points: Would you want to live in the society Vonnegut describes? Would your opinion
change if you could alter one thing in that society? If so, what would you change? What
difference would that change make?
5 points: How would Harrison Bergeron define freedom? Democracy? Equality? How
would Diana Moon Glampers define these terms? How do you define them?
5 points: What is the “race of life?” How important is it that everyone approaches it equally?
5 points: Was Diana Moon Glampers a censor? Add a working definition of the word censor
to your journal.
10 points extra credit: Define each of the following words using the context of the word as it is used in the "Harrison Bergeron":
hindrance, consternation, synchronize, symmetry, philosophy, cower, immolate, and handicap. Write each definition in your own
words. Apply your understanding of the words by combining three of the words into a sentence. For example: "I was full of
consternation because the handicap was a hindrance to my winning the game." Combining the words into a sentence requires
students to have a complete understanding of the words they use.
-This is an example of an identity chart that you’ll need for the 15 point question.
Questions adapted from: http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/hhb/harrison and
http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=819