Harrison Bergeron Pre-Reading for Students

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Pre-Reading Preparation:Building Background & Author Study

Literary Terms - Inference & Theme

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Who is Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.?Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922 to German-American parents

Joined the army and fought in World War II, taken as a P.O.W., also earned a Purple Heart

Well educated. Attended Cornell University and majored in chemistry; University of Chicago and earned an advanced degree in anthropology. Wrote for several newspapers.

On Mother’s Day in 1944, his mother committed suicide with sleeping pills. He later attempted suicide in 1985. He became a strong proponent of assisted suicide.

Well respected writer, famous for his edgy writing style, wicked sense of humor, and satirical works about various governments and systems of thought.

Best-known works include “Slaughterhouse - Five,” “Cat’s Cradle,” and “The Sirens of Titan” - *science fiction*

Many of Vonnegut’s books are on the “Banned Books” list - must read!!

Follow him! @Kurt_Vonnegut


Literary Term #1: Inference

“An Observation is what you see...An Inference is what you figure out...”

You make an inference when you combine clues from the text with your own background knowledge or from other parts of the text in order to draw conclusions.

You must be able to support your inference and there can be more than one correct answer.


Literary Term #2: Theme


Literary Term #2: ThemeTheme is very different from the subject.



The SUBJECT is the broad topic or category for a piece of literature. Usually expressed in a single word or short phrase. Example: “This is a story about tradition.”




THEME is the central idea, concern, or purpose in a literary work. It is the “BIG” statement that a piece of literature makes about a particular subject. Must be stated in a full sentence. Example: “Tradition plays a positive role in society.” / “Tradition is a damaging and distorting force.”




THEME is the central idea, concern, or purpose in a literary work. It is the “BIG” statement that a piece of literature makes about a particular subject. Must be stated in a full sentence. Example: “Tradition plays a positive role in society.” / “Tradition is a damaging and distorting force.”

Works can have MANY subjects and themes and BOTH are open to interpretation.







Documents

Harrison Bergeron Pre-Reading for Students