Question

based on \harrison bergeron,\ which statement would kurt vonnegut most likely support?

achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality.
maintaining a stable society necessitates strict obedience to laws and rules.
trying ones best at any particular task is as good as achieving success.
developing new technologies brings positive advancements to a society.

Explanation:

Analyze the satirical premise of the story

In "Harrison Bergeron," Kurt Vonnegut depicts a dystopian future where the government enforces absolute equality by physically and mentally handicapping anyone with above-average intelligence, strength, or beauty.

Evaluate the options against the author's message

• Option 1: "Achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality." This directly aligns with the narrative, where individual talents and traits must be forcibly suppressed (using weights, masks, and noise transmitters) to make everyone perfectly equal.
• Option 2: "Maintaining a stable society necessitates strict obedience to laws and rules." The story satirizes this idea by showing the horrific cost of such obedience.
• Option 3: "Trying one's best at any particular task is as good as achieving success." This does not reflect the central satirical focus on forced equality.
• Option 4: "Developing new technologies brings positive advancements to a society." The technology in the story (like mental handicap transmitters) is used for oppression, not positive advancement.

Determine the most supported statement

Vonnegut uses the extreme scenario of the story to demonstrate that enforcing literal, absolute equality of outcome inevitably leads to the destruction of personal freedom and the suppression of unique individual capabilities.

Answer:

• (A) Achieving absolute and literal equality requires the suppression of individuality. (Correct answer)
• (B) Maintaining a stable society necessitates strict obedience to laws and rules.
• (C) Trying one's best at any particular task is as good as achieving success.
• (D) Developing new technologies brings positive advancements to a society.