Question

1. What is the difference between the type of equality presented in “Harrison Bergeron” and that presented in “Letter from Birmingham Jail”? Answer this question in at least a paragraph and make sure to cite examples from the text.

Answer 1

Answer:

The difference between both the writings is that the "Harrison Bergeron" has presented equality in a satirical tone whereas the tone of the Letter From Birmingham Jail is serious.

Explanation:

"Harrison Bergeron" is a short science fiction written by Kurt Vonnegut first published in October 1961. And "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on 16 April 1963. In both the writings we find that the writers have emphasized on equality.

In "Harrison Bergeron," Vonnegut begins the story with,

"THE YEAR WAS 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else. Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General."

The writer is offering a satirical tone on the political and social happenings of America.

In "Letter From Birmingham Jail," King is presenting the seriousness of racism in America in 1963. He takes his readers to their common belief upon which the foundations of the nation is laid,

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal ..."

Answer 2

The difference between the type of equality presented in “Harrison Bergeron” and that presented in “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is that in the latter, it presents cynical views about equality while in Letter from Birmingham Jail, it i claiming equality. Thank you for posting your question. I hope that this answer helped you. Let me know if you need more help.