Question

Do you think Harrison Bergeron knows he will die as a result of his behavior? Are you shocked by his death? Is it foreshadowed in any way? If he does suspect he will die, why does he do what he does?

Answer 1

Answer:

Harrison Bergeron seems to know he will die for he did not try to leave even after he had made his point.

It is not shocking to know he will die for it is better to be dead than being held captive.

There seems to b no foreshadowing for his death.

He did what he did even after knowing he will die because he wants others to see the faults of the government and the need for someone to stand up against this oppression.

Explanation:

"Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut is a depiction of a dystopian world where in the name of equality, people are made to wear disguises. Handicap seems to be the norm for equality, for everyone seems to have one thing or another on their body too keep them at par with the rest. Those more intelligent or more physically superior are made to wear disguises to be equal to the others.

The main protagonist Harrison is also made to wear disguise to hide his superiority. In protest against the oppression, he stormed the TV studio at the end of the story. If he had wanted to survive, he would have just made his point and escaped. But instead, he began dancing with a ballerina, urging the others to discard their 'handicaps' and join him. He and the ballerina were shot dead by the Handicapper General.

This death is not shocking as it would have been better to be dead rather than be a captive of an authoritarian government that restricts one's capabilities.

Through his death, Harrison seems to tell the world that this oppression is wrong and that there should be someone brave enough to take on the role of fighting for the right thing.