Y9: Dystopian Short Stories 1 (Week 3)

Hi folks,

This week, we're going to start looking at some great dystopian short stories.

First up: Harrison Bergeron, by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Here’s the story (read here, or download a copy). You can listen along with this audiobook version too, if you like.

(If you are viewing on an Apple device and can’t see the download button on the doc below, you can download it here. The story starts on page 3.)

 

Pre-reading:

In this short story, set in the United States in 2081, everyone is equal. Brainstorm your initial ideas about this concept.  How might people be equal?  Does this sound more like a utopia or dystopia? In what ways might this equality be achieved?  Can you think of any drawbacks to equality? 

Tasks:

 

1) Read the story, stopping to look at the questions and notes in the margin as you go.

2) Answer questions 1-4 on page 10 of the story document.

3) Do the tasks on the powerpoint below:

Explore further:

• Watch 2081 – a short film adaptation of Harrison Bergeron (sorry about the subtitles)
• Watch Examination Day - an episode of The Twilight Zone, a popular TV show from the 1980s (it's very 80s!); this episode is based on a short story by Henry Slesar. 

 

If you enjoyed Vonnegut’s writing, find out more:

• Why You Should Read Kurt Vonnegut (TED-Ed)

• Read the Sparknotes section on Vonnegut's Political and Social Critique and humour
• Kurt Vonnegut on The Shape of Stories (YouTube)
• Kurt Vonnegut’s story shapes
• Kurt Vonnegut – Mini Bio
• A letter from Kurt Vonnegut
• Kurt Vonnegut on how to write a short story

That’s it for this week. There will be another dystopian short story next week.

Stay safe,

THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT