Pre-AP: 451F / "Harrison Bergeron" Venn Diagram

Complete a Venn Diagram with five unique things about both Fahrenheit 451 and "Harrison Bergeron" and five things they have in common.

Do not list superficial things like "they're both written in English" or "Vonnegut wrote one and Bradbury the other" or "I haven't read either."

Make your entries substantial to get the credit you want/need.

Fahrenheit 451	Both	"Harrison Bergeron"
1.	1.	1.
2.	2.	2.
3.	3.	3.
4.	4.	4.
5.	5.	5.

Pre-AP: "Harrison Bergeron" and the IWA Prompt

After reviewing Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron," plan an approach for the addressing this six-weeks' IWA prompt:

In some literary works, the author creates a unique society or community in order to make an important point about humanity. Examples of such works are Lord of the Flies, Anthem, and Fahrenheit 451. Discuss how the authors of these novels use their fictional society to convey important ideas about mankind and society in general. Be sure to clearly identify the “important ideas” they express.

Look at diction, metaphor, imagery, setting (time and place), etc., and how the author’s use of these techniques contributes to meaning.

Things to include:

• Author's "message" about humanity


• Literary device #1
• How it addresses the prompt (what it "means")
• Text Support #1a
• Text Support #1b


• Literary device #2
• How it addresses the prompt (what it "means")
• Text Support #2a
• Text Support #2b

Open-Ended Question Practice

Following the direct-answer/embedded-supporting-evidence formula, answer the following questions on the Open-Ended Question Response Worksheet.

OEQ #1

In “Harrison Bergeron” why does the government handicap George but not Hazel?

OEQ #2

Why do the women in “Embroidery” stay on the porch instead of going inside to prepare supper?

OEQ Crossover

How do the characters in “Harrison Bergeron” and “Embroidery” react to their particular situations in life?

If the "Embroidery" link above cuts off the last page for you, try this link, instead (ignore the notes in the margin).

"Harrison Bergeron" Test Preview

You should know the following for tomorrow's quiz on Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron":

Literary Terms

• Alliteration
• Connotation
• Dialogue
• Hyperbole
• Personification
• Point of View
• Simile
• Tone

Mythological Characters

• Artemis (Diana)

Vocabulary

• Ambition
• Autobiography
• Combative
• Communist Propaganda
• Cynicism
• Dystopian
• Enthusiasm
• Fanatical
• Futuristic
• Grandiose
• Historical Fiction
• Humorous
• Hyperbolic
• Imperial
• Individualistic
• Melancholy
• Mysterious
• Passionate
• Pessimism
• Resignation
• Romance
• Sarcastic
• Science-Fiction
• Sympathetic
• Utopian

Harrison Bergeron Storyboards

Retell "Harrison Bergeron" (link to story) in the six sections of the Storyboard Handout.

In the three boxes across the top, draw a picture representing the Setting/Exposition (Box 1) and two points of the story's Rising Action (Boxes 2 and 3; the segment of the story in Box 2 should come before the segment in Box 3). Accompany each illustration with a quote from the story that goes with what you've drawn.

In the bottom three boxes, draw a picture of the Climax (Box 4), the Falling Action (Box 5), and the Resolution (Box 6). Again, a quote from the story should roughly match your picture.

"Harrison Bergeron" Meaningful Sentences

Use all six (6) of the vocabulary words from "Harrison Bergeron" to write meaningful sentences. Sentences that do not conform to the formula will not receive credit. (Due 9/17/2010)

Remember:

• a meaningful sentence is made up of two independent sentences combined with a semicolon (;)


• the first sentence includes a vocabulary word


• the second sentence contains the definition of that vocabulary word


• the first word of the second sentence is not capitalized


• you should underline the vocabulary word and its definition

For instance, if the vocabulary word was:

Cooperate (v): to work or act together or jointly for a common purpose or benefit;

a meaningful sentence would be:

The students cooperated on their project; they worked together to make sure it was turned in on time.

(Hat Tip: Ms. Hildebrandt for her model sentence.)

Read "Harrison Bergeron"

Questions updated 9/9 (added 4 & 5)

After reading Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron," answer the following questions (in complete sentences).

1. What conflict(s) did Harrison Bergeron have with society?


2. How would he have organized his "empire"? (Who would have power? Who wouldn't?)


3. Is his solution better? Why or why not? (Use the cause/effect graphic organizer below to help you plot your answer.)
   
   


4. Why does the government "handicap" George Bergeron (Harrison's dad) but not Hazel (his mom)?


5. Why don't Harrison's parents respond with more feeling to what they have seen on television?