“Harrison Bergeron”Literary Analysis

Plot and ConflictThe plot of a story is the action that takes place. The plot is driven by a conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. This might be a struggle between two characters, between a character and nature, within a character, or between a character and society as in the story, “Harrison Bergeron.”

Directions: In the chart, record the ways in which Harrison and the government oppose each other.

What the Government Believes How Harrison is Different

Use the details you recorded in the chart to write a summary of the main conflict in the story. Your summary of the main conflict should be five sentences in length:

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“Harrison Bergeron”Vocabulary Practice

Word List

A. Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word list above.

1. If you were cornered by a wild beast, you might ____________________.2. If you burned your finger on a hot stove, you might _________________.3. If a series of burglaries occurred in your neighborhood, you might increase

your _____________________.4. If you never found time to eat dinner with your family, you might suggest

that your schedules needed _________________________.5. If you found your mother reading your diary, you might feel

_____________.6. If you had a rash from poison ivy, your doctor might suggest

____________ the effect with a special cream.

B. Directions: Think about the meaning of each phrase in the first column. Then find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning. Write the letter of that phrase on the blank line.

1. _____ yelps of confused amazement2. _____ cringe and conceal3. _____ unending alertness4. _____ flinch from soreness5. _____ coordinating timepieces6. _____ deactivating the foe

C. Writing: Harrison Bergeron rebelled against the laws of society that regulated equality. Write a note the Harrison might have written to his parents explaining his reasons. Use at least two words from the box in your note.

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Consternation Neutralizing VigilanceCower Synchronizing Wince

A. unceasing vigilanceB. cries of consternationC. synchronizing watchesD. cower and hideE. neutralizing the enemyF. wince in pain

“Harrison Bergeron”Reading Check and Literary Analysis

Directions: Recall the events from the short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Then answer

the questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.

1. What is the purpose of the handicaps?

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2. How are George and Hazel related to Harrison?

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3. What keeps happening to George that prevents him from finishing his

thoughts?

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4. Why is Harrison in jail?

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5. What happens to Harrison at the end of the story?

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Analyze Plot and Conflict

6. What is Harrison fighting against in the story?

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7. How does the conflict end?

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Recognize Conflict

8. The climax of the story is the high point of interest and tension. Circle the

climax of this story.

a. Hazel and George start watching TV

b. A photograph of Harrison flashes on the screen

c. Harrison and his Empress kiss the ceiling

d. George goes to the kitchen for a beer

Draw Conclusion

9. Circle the words that best describe the society described in the story.

a. Free

b. Tolerant

c. Repressive

d. Strict

e. Conformist

f. Open-minded

Interpret Theme

10. Does the author like the society he describes? Support your answer with

evidence from the story.

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Evaluate

11. Suppose Harrison took over the country. What might happen? Write three

ideas

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“Harrison Bergeron”Practice Test

Multiple Choice—Comprehension Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which word best describes the mood of the Bergeron household?a. Subduedb. Overwhelmingc. Inspiringd. Restless

2. In this story, people with above-average intelligence have toa. Watch a lot of television every nightb. Marry someone with less intelligencec. Report weekly to the Handicapper Generald. Wear mental-handicap transmitters

3. Based on the number of handicaps Harrison wears, you can conclude he isa. The same as everyone elseb. Dangerous to others in societyc. Above average in many waysd. Glad he doesn’t live at home

4. Throughout most of the story, you can conclude that George treats Marthaa. Unfairlyb. Gentlyc. Rudelyd. Poorly

5. Harrison is in conflict witha. His parentsb. The governmentc. His teachersd. A ballerina

VocabularyChoose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word.

6. What does vigilance mean?a. Alertnessb. Panicc. Enthusiasmd. Carelessness

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7. A look of consternation is one ofa. Great excitementb. Confusion and fearc. Deep sadnessd. Anger and hatred

8. To wince means toa. Complain loudlyb. Relax completelyc. Flinch involuntarilyd. Cry out in fear

9. What does cower mean?a. Crouch in fearb. Laugh loudlyc. Swear to tell the truthd. Attempt to escape

10. To synchronize two watches will make thema. Shineb. Stopc. Agreed. Glow

Written ResponseAnswer the following questions based on your knowledge of the story. Write one or two sentences on the lines provided.

11. Give one reason why the Handicapper General considers Harrison a threat to society.

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12. Give two examples from the story that show how the mood of the story becomes more serious after Harrison has been shot.

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Extended ResponseAnswer the following question based on your knowledge of the story. Write two paragraphs on the lines provided.

13. Explain how Harrison’s feelings toward government-imposed handicaps conflict with his father’s. Give two examples from the story that show how each one feels about this government practice.

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“Everyday Use”

Literary Analysis

Conflict and Character

The plot of a story revolves around a conflict between opposing forces. The conflict

directs the action of the story and may be settled in the resolution of the story. Often, the

conflict is between two characters who may have different values and priorities.

Directions: Write the conflicts between Dee and her family on the chart. One conflict has

been recorded for you.

1. Which conflicts are resolved?

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2. Which conflicts are not resolved?

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Dee MamaAnd

Maggie

Wants quiltsWant Maggie to have quilts

“Everyday Use”Reading Skill

Make Inferences

Writers don’t always tell you everything you need to know. You must read between the

lines, or make inferences, or logical guesses, based on story details and your own

experiences.

Directions: As you read, record the details about the characters’ words and actions. Then

make inferences about their personalities and attitudes based on these details and your

own experiences. One has been done for you.

Character Story Details Inferences

Dee Thinks orchids are tacky

flowers

Is pretentious

Mama

Maggie

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“Everyday Use”Vocabulary Practice

Vocabulary Word Squares (Frayer Model)

Word Definition

Examples Picture

Directions: For each of the four words, create a vocabulary word square to identify the

word’s definition. Follow the example above.

1. Furtive

2. Recompose

3. Doctrine

4. Heritage

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Directions: Answer the following questions on the lines provided.

5. Which of the words names an action?

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6. Which of the words describes a person, place or thing?

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7. Which of the words suggests the past?

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8. Which of the words has the most negative connotation?

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Vocabulary Practice

Directions: Fill in each set of blanks with the correct word from the box.

9. This is a set of guidelines or views _____________________________________

10. This is your legacy or birthright________________________________________

11. This means “to settle down again” ______________________________________

12. This means “stealthy” or “cautious” ____________________________________

Directions: Choose three of the words from the box. Use each one in a descriptive

sentence about either Dee or Maggie.

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Doctrine Furtive Heritage Recompose

“Everyday Use”Reading Check and Literary Analysis

Directions: Recall the events from the short story by Alice Walker. Then answer the

questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.

1. How do Maggie’s scars affect her life?

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2. Why does Dee change her name to Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo?

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3. How has Dee changed since she last saw her mother and sister?

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4. Why does Dee want the quilts?

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5. Why is Dee angry at the end of the story?

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Make Inferences

6. For each character, write one good and one bad character trait.

Character Good Trait Bad Trait

Dee

Maggie

Mama

Compare and Contrast

7. Why does Dee want the quilts?

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Why does Maggie want the quilts?

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Analyze Plot

8. Reread lines 264—269. Why does Mama give Maggie the quilts?

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Analyze Conflict

9. Circle the sentences that describe the conflicts between Dee and her family.

a. Dee appreciates where she grew up

b. Mama wants Maggie to have the quilts

c. Maggie changes her name

d. Dee has become well-educated

Interpret Theme

10. Circle the statement that tells what the author thinks about heritage.

a. Heritage is a title or property that passes to an heir by law

b. Heritage is those objects and places that have social significance

c. Heritage is a person’s cultural legacy from the distant past

d. Heritage is those things that help us remember and connect to our families

“Everyday Use”Practice Test

Multiple Choice—Comprehension Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following can you infer about Maggie?

a. She is eager to see her sister

b. She misses the old house

c. She’s been unsure of herself for years

d. She will soon sell the quilts

2. What is the conflict between Dee and Maggie over?

a. The differences in their styles of clothes

b. Which quilt is worth the most money

c. Where their mother should live

d. Who will get the family’s quilts

3. Dee doesn’t want to bring her friends to Mama’s house because

a. The house is not well kept

b. Dee is ashamed of how Mama lives

c. Dee has no friends

d. The house is difficult to reach

4. Mama’s attitude toward appearances is that she

a. Envies Dee for her fine clothes

b. Is ashamed of how Maggie looks

c. Is comfortable with her looks

d. Secretly wants to own nice clothes

5. The end of the story suggests that Maggie

a. Thought Dee was comical

b. Felt relieved that she could sell the quilts

c. Finally knew her mother liked her better

d. Was content to be who she was

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6. Which inference can you make about Dee?

a. She often gets what she wants

b. Her life has been very difficult

c. Most people she meets admire her

d. She respects her mother’s opinion

VocabularyChoose the answer that best explains the meaning of each underlined word.

7. To recompose yourself is to

a. Write about yourself

b. Calm yourself

c. Be angry at yourself

d. Prepare yourself for sleep

8. A doctrine is

a. An advanced degree

b. The rules of a game

c. A set of beliefs

d. A medical profession

9. A nation’s heritage is its

a. System of money

b. Number of homes

c. Total population

d. Culture and traditions

10. What does furtive mean?

a. Secretive

b. Brave

c. Frightening

d. Serious

Written ResponseAnswer the following questions based on your knowledge of the story. Write one

or two sentences on the lines provided.

11. What does the narrator mean when she says that Maggie thinks Dee “has held life

always in the palm of one hand, that ‘no’ is a word the world never learned to say

to her”?

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12. In what way does the house fire affect Maggie? Describe how this event explains

her character.

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Extended ResponseAnswer the following question based on your knowledge of the story. Write one

paragraph on the lines provided.

13. Describe the differences in Maggie’s and Dee’s characters. Use two examples

from the story to explain your answer.

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