47 pages 1 hour read

Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Harrison Bergeron

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1960

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

When Harrison breaks free of his “handicaps,” he promotes himself to Emperor. Merriam-Webster defines emperor as “the sovereign or supreme male monarch of an empire.” What does Harrison’s selection of this title communicate about his understanding of power? Be sure to connect your analysis to the theme of State Control.

Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question.

  • Who holds the power in this society before Harrison’s announcement? How is power wielded?
  • How does Harrison wield his short-term power?
  • Would this society be better off if Harrison remained its leader? Why or why not?
  • How is this political title part of Vonnegut’s satire?
  • What is Vonnegut communicating about institutional power?

Teaching Suggestion: Vonnegut’s choice of the word emperor is satirical. Consider discussing the connotations of this word (sovereign, all-powerful, corrupt, dictatorial, etc.) and connect the connotations to the broader messages of State Control.

You can also extend the discussion/analysis to include the story’s other major themes:

Arbitrary Justice: How is Harrison’s brief rebellion “justice”? How is or isn’t his death arbitrary justice? Is the handicapping system arbitrary justice?

Political Inaction: Harrison is far from politically passive in this story. What is Vonnegut communicating about political activism?

Related Titles

By Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Plot Summary
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover placeholder
SuperSummary Logo
STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Plot Summary
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover placeholder
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Plot Summary
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover placeholder
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image
SuperSummary Logo
Study Guide
Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Guide cover image