What are 2 common themes for the story Harrison Bergeron and The Unknown Citizen?
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To determine two common themes for the story "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and the poem "The Unknown Citizen" by W.H. Auden, you can analyze the main ideas and messages conveyed in both works. Here's how you can identify the themes for each:
1. "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.:
a. Read the story and pay attention to the central conflict and events. In this dystopian tale, the government enforces strict equality by handicapping exceptional individuals. Look for recurring symbols, motifs, or ideas that emerge throughout the story.
b. You can identify a theme by considering the over-arching message. Is the story primarily concerned with the dangers of enforced equality, the importance of individuality, or the dehumanization caused by excessive control? These themes could emerge from analyzing the characters' motivations, the consequences of the government's actions, and the overall tone of the story.
2. "The Unknown Citizen" by W.H. Auden:
a. Read the poem carefully, focusing on the speaker's portrayal of an ideal citizen. Pay attention to the details provided about this person's life, achievements, and societal worth. Look for any contrasts or discrepancies between personal desires and societal expectations.
b. Analyze the underlying social commentary in the poem. What does the speaker suggest about conformity, the loss of individual identity, or the devaluation of human life by reducing individuals to statistics? Consider the tone, word choice, and use of irony to identify potential themes.
By engaging in a close reading and an analysis of the works, you will be able to identify two common themes that both "Harrison Bergeron" and "The Unknown Citizen" explore, such as the dangers of conformity, the suppression of individuality, or the dehumanizing effects of strict societal control.