Harrison Bergeron

Use this activity to engage all types of learners while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

In this activity, students will listen to a classic rock song with themes of equality and connect the lyrics to the story through small-group discussion.

“Song Analysis and Text Connections”

The rock band Rush released “The Trees” in 1978. Listen to the song and/or read the lyrics. In a small group, discuss the theme of this song and its connections to “Harrison Bergeron.” Your group will share out to the class, so it may be helpful for someone to take notes as you discuss.

• What is Rush saying about equity and equality in the song?
• How does the song align with the themes in “Harrison Bergeron”?
• Connect the types of trees in the song to the characters in the story: Who are the maples, and who are the oaks? Who uses the hatchet, axe, and saw?

Select 1-2 members of your group to share with the class. Other members of the group can select the 2-3 most valuable conclusions from your discussion to be shared.

Teaching Suggestion: You may want to preview the lyric video to determine if students will be receptive to the music or if reading the lyrics might be more effective. Before they play the video, you might ask them to listen for what Rush is saying about equality through this tree metaphor. Encourage all to participate in some way: discussion, note taking, distilling main ideas, or sharing out to the class.

Paired Text Extension:

Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

The founders of the United States drafted the Declaration of Independence with the line “all men are created equal.” Vonnegut was vocal about the importance of Constitutional freedoms in modern society.

• What did the Founders mean by the word equal? Did they have something like equity in mind? Explain your opinion.
• How is American society doing today in honoring the idea of all being equal?
• What would a more equal future be like?

Teaching Suggestion: You might have students read (or read aloud) the Declaration of Independence and discuss the ideal of equality in the past, present, and possible future. The guiding questions can provide support for the discussion.