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Read this passage from "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut:
The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal. They
weren't only equal before God and the law. They were equal
every which way. Nobody was smarter than anybody else.
Nobody was better looking than anybody else. Nobody
was stronger or quicker than anybody else. All this equality
was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to
the Constitution, and to the unceasing vigilance of agents
of the United States Handicapper General.
Which statement best explains how irony is used in the passage?
A. Nearly 200 amendments have been added to the Constitution
since its ratification.
B. The Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom, is amended
to deny it.
C. People are burdened with handicaps to be made equal in the eyes
of the law.
D. A government agency is established to enforce a law that is
unconstitutional.



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
In the passage from "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut, the use of irony is best explained by:

B. The Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom, is amended to deny it.

Explanation:
1. Irony is a literary technique where the intended meaning of a situation is different from the literal meaning. In this passage, the irony lies in the fact that in a society where everyone is supposed to be equal, this equality is achieved through extreme measures that restrict personal freedom and individuality.

2. The Constitution is a document that typically upholds personal freedoms and rights. However, in this dystopian society described in the passage, the Constitution is amended to enforce equality by handicapping individuals rather than protecting their freedoms.

3. By amending the Constitution to ensure equality through forced handicaps, the government in the story is contradicting the principles of personal freedom and individuality that the Constitution traditionally upholds. This contrast between the intended purpose of the Constitution and its use in the story highlights the irony present in the passage.

Therefore, option B, "The Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom, is amended to deny it," best explains how irony is used in the passage from "Harrison Bergeron."

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