Generate your own question that allows you to make a connection between the genre of
"Harrison Bergeron" and a societal message
Consider using who, what, when, where, why, or
how to ask a question.

come on, now. don’t deny me the thing that even this little flea has had. you didn't lose anything when the flea bit you, did you? hey, our blood is already mixed in the flea’s blood. what’s stopping you now? the mixing of bloods in the flea is not some sin or loss that you have to account for. don’t you see how foolish it is to deny ourselves the pleasure that the flea has indulged in without even asking our permission?

the meaning becomes clearer in this more complex modern translation of the lines from "the flea." the speaker is presenting an argument to his mistress for why they should engage in premarital sex. in keeping with the social codes of the time, she believes it is a sin and is shameful.

however, the effect of john donne’s conceit is toned down in this version. the jarring notes of the opening lines that engage the reader's attention are also missing in this rewritten version. the erotic undertone in the original lines that tend to tease rather than bluntly state facts is lost in the translated version as well.

beowulf was pretending to be asleep while he was waiting for grendel to attack so he could finally kill him.