Read the passage from "Harrison Bergeron," in which George's assigned handicap causes him to suffer. [George] began to think glimmeringly about his abnormal son who was now in jail, about Harrison, but a twenty- one-gun salute in his head stopped that. "Boyl" said Hazel, "that was a doozy, wasn't it?" It was such a doozy that George was white and trembling, and tears stood on the rims of his red eyes. Two of th eight ballerinas had collapsed to the studio floor, were holding their temples. From the passage, a reader could infer that the transmitter in George's ear prevents him from thinking clearly. How does the passage support this inference?

The passage supports the inference that the transmitter in George's ear prevents him from thinking clearly through several key details: 1. **"Glimmeringly" Thinking**: The use of the word "glimmeringly" suggests that George's thoughts are not clear or fully formed. This implies that his ability to think deeply or coherently is hindered, which aligns with the function of the transmitter that disrupts his thoughts. 2. **Physical Reaction**: George's physical response—being "white and trembling" with "tears stood on the rims of his red eyes"—indicates a strong emotional and mental strain. This reaction suggests that the mental interference caused by the transmitter is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant burden that affects his emotional state. 3. **Distraction from Important Thoughts**: The passage mentions that George begins to think about his son Harrison, but this thought is abruptly interrupted by a "twenty-one-gun salute" in his head. This illustrates how the transmitter actively disrupts his ability to focus on important and personal thoughts, further emphasizing its role in impairing his mental clarity. 4. **Impact on Others**: The mention of the ballerinas collapsing and holding their temples suggests that the effects of the handicaps are widespread and debilitating, reinforcing the idea that the handicaps, including George's transmitter, create an environment where clear thinking is impossible. Overall, these elements collectively illustrate how the transmitter in George's ear serves to inhibit his cognitive functions, supporting the inference that it prevents him from thinking clearly.