injustice, according to Google Dictionary. Many stories include a dystopian setting. Some of these stories are “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, and “Examination Day” by Henry Slesar. Although the plotlines of “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut and “Examination Day” by Henry Slesar differ in many ways, the two share a core theme: nightmarish dystopian futures.
“Harrison Bergeron” is a short story, written by Kurt Vonnegut. It was written in October of 1961. The characters included in this story are Harrison, George and Hazel Bergeron, Diana Moon Glampers, the ballerinas, the Announcer, and the musicians. There were many important plot events throughout the story. First, we learn that every twenty seconds, a loud sound goes through George’s ear radio that disrupts his thoughts. This is to keep him from taking an unfair advantage of his brain. Next, Hazel said what she would do if she were the
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Many major plot events also occurred. They include when Mrs. Jordan mentioned the exam in front of Dickie. The text says, “It was on his birthday that Mrs. Jordan first mentioned the subject in his presence, and the anxious manner of her speech caused her husband to answer sharply.” This shows that his parents are anxious about Dickie taking this exam and have never spoken of it near him. Then, Dickie asked many questions, such as why it was raining, and why grass was green. Next, Dickie and his parents went to the Government Educational Building, where Dickie was given a liquid, presumably a drug, to drink before the exam to ensure he would be honest. Dickie drank this liquid, and took the exam. Next, Dickie’s parents received a call from the Government Educational Service. At the end, It is revealed that this call was to inform the Jordans that Dickie failed the test for being too intelligent. He was killed for this reason. The short story, “Examination Day,” by Henry Slesar is similar to, and different from, “Harrison BErgeron,” by Kurt