The tone of Harrison Bergeron is one of satire. Satire is a literary form that uses humor or sarcasm to criticize or ridicule a subject, especially its shortcomings or vices. The story takes place in a dystopian future where no more wars or poverty exist because everyone is equal. There are no poor people or rich people because they have all been made equal by the government. Everyone has an “equalizer” device that gives them their IQ score, height, weight, etc., so no one can have an advantage over anyone else. The government has made everyone equal by making them all the same. This includes making everyone have the same intelligence, physical ability, and appearance.
The main character, Harrison Bergeron, is a young man who doesn’t like being forced to be equal with everyone else; he would rather be different instead of being forced into mediocrity by the government’s policies on equality. Harrison eventually rebels and takes off his handicaps, leading to his arrest, but the fact that he is a rebel shows that the government’s control is not complete.
The tone of Harrison Bergeron can be described as critical of the government’s control and attempts to make everyone the same. The story warns readers that if they don’t stand up for their rights, they will be forced into conformity by an oppressive government.
What is The Tone of Harrison Bergeron?
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