Answer the questions below in complete sentences. Make sure to use textual evidence in the form of both direct quotes from the story and examples/references to the story. Each answer must fully explain how the textual evidence supports your claims and ideas. (20 points)
1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
Example Format with example question and example answer (please include the question before your answer):
Mrs. Kauffman
1. In the first paragraph, Vonnegut uses the words “unceasing vigilance.” What do these words mean? What implications do they have in the text?
Answer: “Unceasing” means not stopping, or unending. “Vigilance” means watchfulness or alert attention. The use of these words helps to establish a setting and tone for the piece. Vonnegut makes his reader aware of the restrictive and oppressive nature of the government. People in this futuristic society seemingly cannot do anything outside of the watchful eyes of the government.
Ben Culp
ReplyDelete1. George and Hazel live with handicaps sent by the H-G. The story creates sympathy for George and Hazel by explaining the handicaps. " ...Had a little mental handicap radio in his ear." This makes us sympathize for him because the government doesn't allow thinking. Get wrecked Plato!
2. When George sees his sons picture it takes him time to remember. Once he realizes that the picture is of his son the sound of a car crash went off in his ear blowing away his train of thought. This scrambles Georges thoughts not even allowing him to recognize his son.
3. I think Vonnegut uses the television set so he can show and explain the handicaps of the ballerinas and Harrison in an interesting way. " They were burdened with sash weights and bags of bird shot, and their faces were masked..."
They were watching the ballerinas on tv and George had this thought about them on page 1.
4. I think he was bashing equality. This story was written in the 60's and there were lots of art and peace and equality movements. I think he was almost combating equality and showing people that difference and exceptional people should be proud not burdened. The ballerina who becomes Harrison's bride should be a professional. Harrison if hes that athletic he should be playing left tackle in the NFL.
Always end answers with analysis not a quote. Good start here.
DeleteMichaela Kingsley
ReplyDelete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
Vonnegut uses indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel by pretty discreetly making Hazel envious, but yet ignorant to all of the things happening in their futuristic society. Now yes, she may have not truly understood how messed up this place was, but she seemed innocent, yet a bit off. George on the other hand, I felt as if he wanted to oppress this terrifying situation, but he couldn’t, so he to me seemed like a rather pessimistic and down character, a little uninteresting, but still a tad intriguing.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
The noises that George hears throughout the story intensify the tragedy by giving off a sense of pity and sorrow for the character. I felt as if since George couldn’t think intellectually, he couldn’t seek out help or begin a rebellion, as his son once tried to. Hazel’s lack of intelligence shows that the government probably wasn’t worried about her trying to resist, so they didn’t give her a radio.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
The television is the primary setting because in the third paragraph, it states that they were watching television. Later, it states that they were watching ballerinas dance. However, the ballerinas had the mental handicap along with George, so my hypothesis is that maybe the television has something to do with the use of George and the ballerina’s mental handicaps.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
I believe that Vonnegut is attempting to display a very vague, yet insightful image about equality. Obviously, we can never achieve perfect equality, and if we do, there will be imperfections within the system, as shown in this story. Nevertheless, I believe that what Vonnegut is trying to explain, is that maybe we should all be accepting of each other, not believe that everyone is all on the same equilibrium.
Solid explanations and insightful responses.
DeleteMac Smith
ReplyDelete1. Vonnegut used indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel through their dialogue, thoughts, and appearances. "George and Hazel were watching television. There were tears on Hazel's cheeks, but she'd forgotten for the moment what they were about." This indirect characterization creates sympathy because Hazel is crying about the loss of her son, but she is so stupid she forgot she was crying.
2. The noises parallel the escalating tragedy by increasing in intensity, just as the exposition intensifies. For example, in the beginning of the story, "A buzzer sounded in George's head," just after we are told about the transmitters, and "a twenty-one-gun salute in his head" just after George was thinking about his son in jail.
3. I think that Vonnegut's purpose of having the television give exposition was to separate George and Hazel from the action. That way, their lives can go on after Harrison was shot. "I forget, Something real sad on television."
4. I think Vonnegut was trying to say that the government has become too powerful, and is using it's power to weaken the people. "All this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution." The powerful government made laws that oppress and demoralize it's people.
Good inclusion of quotes in responses.
DeleteElizabeth Ober
ReplyDelete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
George and Hazel are characterized by their compliance, their inability to function in the ways that we view as human. They are sympathetic to the reader because they are so close to having real conversations and thoughts, but can’t. Their dialogue is clipped just like their thoughts. Their inability to carry on conversations means they can’t make real connections. As they talk they are cut off before they even start by George’s earpiece handicap. Vonnegut writes, ““Society,” said Hazel uncertainly. “Wasn’t that what you just said? “Who knows?” said George.” This conversation illustrates how they are kept from making any connections. Vonnegut characterizes them through their dialogue, making it clear that they are trapped by the stupidity imposed upon them by their government.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
The noises broadcast by the handicap in George’s ear act as a device to mirror the events in the story and match the intensity of the events in their loudness or violence. In the beginning, the noises broadcast by the radio are relatively innocuous, a hammer on a glass bottle. These noises are distractions, meant to keep the smart from having any real thoughts. As the story escalates, harsher distractions are needed. When George thinks first of his son, his is submitted to a “twenty-one-gun salute in his head.” When he recognises his son, a car crash is blasted in his ears. Whether the government is responding to the thoughts in George’s head or whether Vonnegut is using the noises as a device, it is clear that more powerful noise is in response to more meaningful, more lasting thoughts.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
In the story the TV shows their disconnect from reality. Instead of experiencing their lives, they are watching them play out from a distance. At the end of the story, after watching their son die on the screen in front of them, George and Hazel are left separated from the reality of the event, unable to recall why they cared it. Shortly after watching her son’s death, Hazel finds herself crying but only remembers “something real sad on television.” The characters are kept separate from reality by the disconnect of the television. “”Forget sad things,” said George. “I always do,” said Hazel.” George and Hazel are able to forget the sad things and forget their own place in the real world because they are only able to view them through the TV.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
I think Vonnegut is saying that equality is not sameness. In the story he shows that a world where everyone is ‘equal’ is not necessarily good. I think that from this story the reader can infer that Vonnegut thinks a government should not aim for equality through restriction. In the story he shows that the complexity of thought prohibited by this government is at the core of humanity. Without freedom of thought, a person is not human. Vonnegut writes that George was handicapped to keep him from “taking unfair advantage of their brains.” Vonnegut shows how achieving equality by making everyone the same makes them mindless. He shows that the right to challenge the humanness of a group of people is not one a government can claim as a means of achieving equality.
Idea of Hazel and George's conversation not being "real," which illustrates lack of connection is perceptive and fully supported with the quote you chose. Solid explanations and use of quotes to support your claims.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: By highlighting George's pains he is experiencing from thinking and Hazel's blissful ignorance.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
Answer: As more the tragedies and problems arise, George thinks more and the noises get louder to suppress his thoughts and Hazel forgets the tragedies and just moves on with her blissful life.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
Answer: To better portray what was happening and how it was affecting Hazel and George and to give something people can relate to and tragedies are often seen on television. "I forget," she said. "Something real sad on television."
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
Answer: Perfect equality cannot be reached, its just not worth it. Instead, people should focus on accepting a person for who they truly are, a fellow human being. In the story, the people who are above average wear handicaps to suppress their natural characteristics such as intelligence and beauty. It may seem fair, but it causes them pain and agony, and they cannot do anything about it while average people can just be average. Fairness is not everyone getting the same thing or being absolutely equal, it is everyone getting what they need to succeed.
Response in number four is fully explained--astute observation about fairness made in the end.
DeleteAndie Penna
ReplyDelete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
Vonnegut uses indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel by demostrating a sense of helplessness and ignorance in George and Hazel, respectively. George often has fleeting thoughts that defy the current customs of society shown in this excerpt from the front page,"George was toying with the vague notion that maybe dancers shouldn't be handicapped. But he didn't get far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts." Shown in the excerpt, George is robbed of all new and extensive thought process, already causing the reader to sympathize with him, not to mention the sympathy due to having his eardrums blown up by awful noise every 20 seconds. As with Hazel, she is ignorant to pretty much everything, and insensitive to George's handicaps. We feel bad that she knows so little.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
In the beginning, the noises start out on the gentle side. For example, the first was a buzzer, and didnt affect him a whole lot. As we get into the plot, the third noise left him in tears.
At the climax we see how the noises correlate with the tension and excitement within the plot, "The realization was blasted from his mind instantly by the sound of an automobile collison in his head. When George could open his eyes again, the photograph of Harrison was gone."
At the rise of the climax, the noises in George's head also climaxed to an automobile collison, rendering him presumably at the brink of unconsciousness. This is showing how the handicap sounds and pace of the story match up with each other in terms of intensity.
Andie Penna pt 2 (it was too long and wouldn't let post the whole thing)
ReplyDelete3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
The use of the television set for the primary setting creates an effective environment of familiarity for the reader. It creates a picture of a simple famoly sitting together in their living room, living a perfect, happy, normal family life. This adds to the effectiveness of the plot because it contrasts the irregularity in this society's customs and sinister underlying setbacks. After the Bergerons watch their son being killed on television, George goes to get beer and talks with his wife in the living room, "'You been crying,' he said to Hazel. 'Yup,' she said. 'What about?' he said. 'I forget,' she said. 'Something real sad on television.'" This conversation encompasses the entire "normal" facade this society puts on. They have just seen their son killed, but their thoughts are so manipulated and stripped down that they continue to drink beer in their living room without a care. To them, it was just something they saw on TV. It wasn't an actual event.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
I think Vonnegut is saying that it's impossible to achieve true equality, and a government attenpring to make everyone equal is ineffective and impractical. Government can contrpl people, but there will always be Harrons out there, fighting for their own beliefs and going against the system. In this scenario, nobody is really happy either. This is the best example if "ignorance is bliss," but it isnt true happiness if you cant even conprehend your own thoughts and emotions.
To me, he is saying that equality is not the same as justice. Making everyone the same is impossible because in an attempt to do so in this story, they treating different people differently, completely contradicting the original goal. We must be equal on different scales for it to work. You do not try and make an elephant like a bird, but rather give them the same opportunities and make them the best elephant and best bird they can be.
Thoughtful and detailed responses to all of the questions, Andie. Love the idea that TV creates a relateable setting for the readers.
Delete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
ReplyDelete-Vonnegut uses this technique by creating two characters that are naïve yet knowledgeable. George and hazels intention spans have been drastically shortened due to the rules of equality. This leads them into being almost naïve about how they’re being controlled. But even that’s controversial because they know that they’re being handicapped, they just can’t think of a reason long enough to act against it. Also Vonnegut creates emotional sympathy by using descriptive imagery on what George and Hazel go through on a daily basis, in terms of their handicaps.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
-The noises throughout the story gradually become more violent, almost as warning for what is to come. Possibly even a way to make sure order was kept after the broadcasted death of Harrison. The government must have been able to read people thoughts, so it was just a matter of time before they knew about Harrison's plans, therefore correlating the sounds around guns and death.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
-It’s possible that the majority of the citizens spent time watching the television, so it was a source of brainwashing. Also it could be the main way of getting news, another reason why Harrison may have chosen to attempt to over throw the government on live television.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
-The author portrayed a very true idea of equality, we can never become completely equal. A good example would be the Handicapper General. Through the eyes of the people she is seen as a high figure, someone Hazel looks up to. But is she really equal to everyone else? In their society, you’re only as smart as the dumbest person. How is she able to have control over these people with a twenty second intention span? Well, easy, she isn’t an equal, that’s why Hazel looks up to her. Deep down Hazel believes she different; “I think I’d make a good Handicapper General….who knows better than I do what normal is?”
Solid responses and use of evidence from text.
DeleteNick Hendrix
ReplyDelete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
George is the type of citizen that respects and listens to the government even when his son is in danger only, because he can't think about it. He is also very smart so he could think deeply, but he doesn't want to. Hazel is the mother of Harrison also she is the one that request George to take of the weights around his neck and he replies no.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
The noises that George hears affect his life drastically. Every time hear hears that noise he forgets everything he was just thinking about. The noise only happens when he thinks to smartly and it doesn't help that George is very smart.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
I believe the reason for the television is to tell that the handicapping is happening even in a subject where this a winner and loser. Now there will always be a tie so what would be the point of watching that subject anyway. Anyone who is handicapped would just sit around all day watching television.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
I believe he is trying to say that the government did this equality scenario badly. There will never be equality, because we're all born differently. Also what is the point of fixing the inequality people who try hard get better things in life people who don't try hard get nothing out of life.
Nice start with responses.
Delete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
ReplyDeleteHe uses indirect characterization whenever Hazel speaks to George. When George hears the sound from his head set Hazel says "I'd think it would be real interesting, hearing all the different sounds." She doesn't understand that George is purposely being made uncomfortable because of whatever he thinks. When Hazel wants to take out some of the balls from the his sack he tells her what it would be like if everyone else got away with it and that "...pretty soon we'd be right back to the darn ages again, with everybody competing against everyone else.", and she admits that she would hate it. This shows that she is uncomfortable with things she doesn't know.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
The sounds intensify as the more dramatic the story becomes. The first time the sound is "someone hitting a milk bottle with a ball peen hammer." when he was thinking that the dancers shouldn't be handicapped. The last sound he hears is a riveting gun after his son, Harrison, has been on TV and unhandicapped everyone. The more that happens in George's and Hazel's lives the worse the sounds get.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
The television is the primary setting because it is Harrison's parents watching what is happening, you know how that parents fell and you feel sad when Hazel forgets. The TV shows that George isn't the only handicap in the world, and that there are many.
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
Vonnegut was possibly trying to say that equality doesn't always mean the way people use it. I think that he was trying to say that we need to accept that some people are better at something than us, and that if everyone was truly equal people wouldn't be satisfied.
Solid explanations to questions.
Delete1)Vonnegut made us have sympathy for George and hazel by putting them through problems that we both agree are wrong such as the handicaps that George has to go through. "Every twenty seconds or so, the transmitter would send out some sharp noise." That's a quote from the story describing George's handicap.
ReplyDelete2)It both tells us what's happening to him and foreshadowing what's bound to happen. For example he heard the noise when he thought about the ballerinas not having a handicap. "George was toying with the vague notion that maybe the dancers shouldn't be handicapped. But he didn't get very far with it before another noise in his ear radio scattered his thoughts." This tells us that whenever he has thoughts that can seem controversial about the government his thoughts are scattered so he can't think about it too much. Then towards the end he soon forgets things he just saw on the television. This is a quote towards the end "I forget, she said. something real sad on the television." What was it" he said. "It;s all kinds of mixed up in my mind." Forget sad things."
3)It's meant to tell us about the world they live in without it being forced. And to tell us about Harrison so we know as much as George and Hazel. This is a quote telling the audience about Harrison. "He is a genius and an athlete, is under-handicapped, and should be regarded as extremely dangerous."
4)That equality isn't possible at least to that extent and that instead of accepting people as a complete equal we should accept the way we are.
1)I think that Vonnegut is trying to say that this government is controlling by saying the words unceasing vigilance. It's setting the theme and tone of the story I think these words perfectly describe this story.
Nice start. Make sure to be specific in your language.
Delete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
ReplyDeleteI believe Vonnegut used indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel through a few ways. In an excerpt from the first page it says, "Hazel saw him wince. Having no mental handicap herself, she had to ask George what the latest sound had been." This quote infers that George constantly has these sounds go off so often that Hazel knows he heard one from just a wince. The whole story shows examples like this that build up to the prime example on the last page. The parents had just witnessed their child, Harrison, get shot on television; but their minds were immediately erased of the event. Then the story ends with you feeling incredibly sad for George and Hazel because George can't even use a simple figure of speech with Hazel.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
At the beginning of the story George heard the sound of somebody hitting a milk bottle with a ball peen hammer and then by the end of the story he was hearing the sound of a riveting gun in his head. The story had escalated from just some ballerinas making George question the system to his own son fighting the system through dance. The increasing of the sounds represents the intensity of the plot.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
Vonnegut's purpose in having the television set as the primary setting is to affect the reader on a personal level and give you a better idea of George and Hazel's lifestyle. They just sit in front of the tv, watching others do what they wish they could; but they can't even remember it. " 'Forget sad things,' said George. 'I always do,' said Hazel" (P.6)
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
What Vonnegut is trying to say about today's society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people is that there's only so much the whole can do to be equal. Full equality is something people want but it's incredibly unable to achieve. They may have handicaps and little radios in their ears but they still hold jealousy in themselves. This is shown on the first page, " 'I'd think it would be real interesting, hearing all the different sounds,' said Hazel a little envious. 'All the things they think up.' "
Solid explanations and use of evidence. Like ideas you propose in response number 3 about TV and impact on audience.
Delete1. Indirect characterization is when an author develops the character through his actions, dialogues, thoughts, appearance, other character reactions. How does Vonnegut use indirect characterization to create sympathy for George and Hazel?
ReplyDeleteVonnegut creates sympathy for George and Hazel through their inability to think entire thoughts and have whole conversations. "The minute people start cheating on laws, what do you think happens to society?"..."Reckon it'd fall all apart," said Hazel. "What would?" said George blankly. "Society," said Hazel uncertainly. "Wasn't that what you just said? "Who knows?" said George". This shows that even Hazel without a handicap can't hold up an intelligent conversation for long. Without conversation it is impossible for them to form a real bond with each other.
2. George Bergeron wears a radio that broadcasts various noises to prohibit him from developing any intellectual thoughts. Trace the increased intensity of these noises that George hears throughout the story. How do the noises parallel the escalating tragedy of George’s and Hazel’s lives?
The noises George hears become increasingly more intense as the event on the television escalate. When there are just ballerinas on screen "[A] buzzer sounded in George's head", yet when he recognizes Harrison, his mind is cleared by "the sound of an automobile collision in his head". This makes us wonder whether the government in this story is purposefully trying to censor their thoughts or if the author is using the loud noises as an outlet and equivalent to the events of the story.
3. The entire narrative takes place as George and Hazel sit in front of the television. What is Vonnegut’s purpose in having the television set as the primary setting? Cite textual evidence for the significance of the television.
The television is used to illustrate the lifestyle of the society, it shows peoples disconnect from reality because they view everything on a TV. Watching the television is also probably one of the only things everyone can do to pass time and keep them on the same level. The TV is also a way to capture George and Hazel's reaction about their son dying, and how extreme this society's need for 'equality' is. ""You been crying" he said to Hazel. "Yup, " she said. "What about?" he said. "I forget," she said. "Something real sad on television." "What was it?" he said. "It's all kind of mixed up in my mind," said Hazel. "Forget sad things," said George. "I always do," said Hazel".
4. What do you think Vonnegut might be trying to say about today’s society and the role a government can play in achieving equality among people? Use examples from the story to support your opinion.
I think Vonnegut is trying to say that equality cannot be achieved through the oppression and handicapping of people. "the transmitter would
send out some sharp noise to keep people like George from taking unfair
advantage of their brains". This government is getting rid of everything unique about everyone as an individual when they are really striving to exterminate jealousy and competition, but these things are more or less part of human nature and cannot be easily wiped from our systems.