SRC 2020 English 304 Active
Critiques of American Society in Science Fiction
Pre-Test
100 DOO
SER
48:57
Read the excerpt from "Harrison Bergeron."
And George, while his intelligence was way above normal, had a little mental handicap radio in his ear. He was
required by law to wear it at all times. It was tuned to a government transmitter. Every twenty seconds or so,
the transmitter would send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair advantage of
their brains.
How is this excerpt an example of irony?
Handicapping intelligence contradicts expectations because intelligence is normally considered a positive
attribute.
Handicapping intelligence is pointless because determining whether one's intelligence is above normal is a matter
of opinion.
If George were really that intelligent, he would remove the device from his ear.
The mental handicap radio is incapable of correcting physical advantages.
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