"Harrison Bergeron"

The next story you will read is from author Kurt Vonnegut (1922 - 2007).

He didn't live during the transcendentalist time; however, his themes are a powerful example of what you have studied.

Read Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron."

Citing examples from the story, what can you infer about the type of government that was in existence in the year 2081?

In the first paragraph, Vonnegut uses the words "unceasing vigilance."
What do these words mean? What implications do they have in the text?



How does Harrison's rebellion reveal his character and his values? Support your opinion with evidence from the text.

"The Road Not Taken"

Robert Frost (1874 - 1963) is a famous American author whose poetry reflects deeply on universal themes.

Read Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken."

Listen to "The Road Not Taken" (:44)

 

Read the line below from Frost's poem.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood."
What does the word diverged mean?

  • Appeared
  • Fork
  • Continued
  • Curved

Read the line below from Frost's poem.
"And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black."
What does the word trodden mean?

  • Walked
  • Raked
  • Tripped
  • Separated

Which line below illustrates a nonconformist action?

  • "And looked down one as far as I could"
  • "I doubted if I should ever come back."
  • "I took the one less traveled by"
  • "I shall be telling this with a sigh"

What is the main theme in this poem?

  • Deciding which road to take while on a nature hike
  • Making choices that may be different from others
  • How to make the best of a past decision
  • Wondering about the choices that others have made

"The Unknown Citizen"

The last selection you will read in this lesson is from W. H. Auden.

In his poem "The Unknown Citizen," the character conforms to society's standards; he has no individuality or identity.

The poem expresses an attitude of conformity: the government makes it seem that everyone else is doing the right thing, so everyone must follow in his footsteps.

Read "The Unknown Citizen"

Listen to "The Unknown Citizen" (2:13)

In the beginning of the poem "The Unknown Citizen," there is a message to the readers that a statue was erected to this person.
Monuments are usually built to honor great people who are heroes. Why do you think the monument was built for the Unknown Citizen?

Is the Unknown Citizen a hero?

The genres that you read have similarities and differences, of course.

Some rules must be followed to insure one's place and safety in society; however, two of these pieces illustrate what happens when people begin to conform leaving no room for diversity.