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Response to short extract from The Giver

     There was no answer to Jonas’s whisper. Gabriel was sound asleep.

     “Things could change, Gabe,” Jonas went on. “Things could be different. I don’t know how, but there must be some way for things to be different. There could be colors.
     "And grandparents," he added, staring through the dimness toward the ceiling of his sleepingroom. "And everybody would have the memories.
     "You know about memories," he whispered, turning toward the crib.
     Gabriel's breathing was even and deep. Jonas liked having him there, though he felt guilty about the secret. Each night he gave memories to Gabriel: memories of boat rides and picnics in the sun; memories of soft rainfall against windowpanes; memories of dancing barefoot on a damp lawn.
     "Gabe?"
     The newchild stirred slightly in his sleep. Jonas looked over at him.

     "There could be love," Jonas whispered.

     The next morning, for the first time, Jonas did not take his pill. Something within him, something that had grown there through the memories, told him to throw the pill away.



This is the scene where Jonas relays his feelings to Gabriel after his parents tell him that they feel that love is a vague and obsolete word. He is shocked and understands truly how emotionless and robotic his parents are. He realizes that nobody in the community, other than the Giver and himself, understands emotions, and that there is no use trying to explain to his parents the meaning of love. Also, he had tried to transmit memories to Asher and Lily earlier in the book, and it had been in vain. However, when he tries it on Gabriel, it works. Since Gabriel has pale eyes, he has the power of perception as well, and thus can receive the memories transmitted by Jonas. Thus, he is the only person other than the Giver, whom Jonas can identify with him. He serves as a sort of company to him when he is not with the Giver, as he is the only one to whom Jonas can reveal his thoughts openly. When Jonas is in immense loneliness, Gabe is of great comfort to him. Jonas likes having him around and feels love towards him. After speaking to him, he is rejuvenated with hope and confidence, and this is what urges him to cease taking the pills and instills the belief that love could be possible, in him.


This scene in the book was very touching. The way Jonas attained hope and confidence after talking with the baby made me feel irrationally happy. Babies frequently figure as symbols of hope and regeneration in literature, and in The Giver, Gabriel had a somewhat similar role. I felt that there was a very brotherly relationship between Jonas and Gabriel. Jonas even called him his brother once before correcting himself. I feel that they may have been brothers after all, because they both had pale eyes and could have had the same Birthmother, as Lily suggested in an earlier phase of the book.

Response based on class discussion (2)

We discussed the features of Jonas’s society in class one day. It was a rather interesting and invigorating discussion, where all of us were actively engaged. It helped me understand and interpret The Giver more efficiently.






Jonas’s society is a rigid one. Their society is full of rules. Evey aspect of life in the community has guidelines. This is seen in a quotation from the book, ‘Two children – one male, one female – to each family unit. It was written very clearly in the rules.' I find this as an especially rigid rule. I feel that it is still pretty fine to say there should be two children in every family, because things might get out of control when there are too many, and the child may grow up lonely or pampered if there is only one. However, it is too much to say that there should be a male and a female. Another rigid rule is, precision of language, something they consider extremely important.
Not only are the rules rigid, they are also ‘very hard to change’. The book also states, ‘When something went to a committee, people always joked about it.’ Thus, change is not forthcoming in this society and it takes a long time for changes to occur. The strictness, rigidity and particularity of the rules reflect on how rigid the community is.


This is also seen from the plane incident at the very start of the book, where the pilot was about to be released for the unintentional mistake he made. This shows that there are protocols that must be adhered to in almost every setting; even for a minor offence. Hence, the society is very rigid and unforgiving, for it would not show mercy and spare the pilot for his minor and accidental mistake. The release of the pilot-in-training also shows that the community is harsh and unforgiving. No second chance is given. In strive for perfection, people deemed less perfect are meted out the worst punishment of being released.






In the same incident, the fact that the community is a very controlled one is portrayed when the people immediately stopped whatever they were doing, dropped their bicycles and did as instructed by the rasping voice. Though they were confused and bewildered, they followed instructions without any questions or protests. In our modern day society, people are always questioning and doubting, as human nature promotes such characteristics. The willingness and promptness of citizens in adhering to orders shows that there has been a learnt obedience of people cultivated by the government. Nobody questions why any order is made. This shows that the community has total control over the people.










There is also no privacy in the community. Evidence is that ‘it was against the rules’ to ‘keep (your) feelings hidden,’ during the evening telling of feelings and it was also compulsory to share your dreams every morning. This robs the community members of their privacy, but at the same time ensures that they do not have any negative feelings towards the community or any illegal schemes up their sleeves, for they are prohibited from hiding these, and will have to reveal it to their family members.










There is also immense uniformity in the community. There is no sense of individuality in their community. Everything is standardized and the people are given no choices.


For instance, everyone receives the equal possessions and turn the same age on the same day. At birth, they get comfort objects. Fours, fives and sixes receive jackets with buttons at the back. Sevens get front-buttoned jackets. Eights receive jackets with smaller buttons and pockets. Nines receive bicycles. Tens get a change of hairstyle. Elevens get new undergarments and longer trousers. Only at twelve do they get various assignments. Until that, their only differences are their names. This shows that there is little individuality, and everything is standardized.


Not only that, everyone gets the same food. This is seen in the book, ‘Food is delivered by the delivery crew everyday.’ It is so standardized they can not even choose the food they prefer to eat!


Colours have been relinquished to eliminate choices. Everybody has to dress identically. Moreover, everyone has the same features, and the community tries its very best to maintain it this way. This is seen when the Giver says, “I suppose the genetic scientists are still hard at work trying to work the kinks out. Hair like Fiona’s must drive them crazy.” Also, it is said in the book that ‘almost every citizen in the community (has) dark eyes.’ This shows that the community values uniformity and eliminates choices.


Not only all that, even the family units and jobs are assigned. Spouses and children are allocated. This shows that the people lack freedom of choice.


The family units also have a fixed number and type of children, and this portrays uniformity.


The community is also highly organized, in that they make sure every role is filled and everyone is satisfied after the allocation of assignments.














The society is also very ritualistic. There are ceremonies for every year of childhood, and during release. There are also the evening telling of feelings and the morning rituals, everyday.






The community is also unaware of the surroundings beyond it. They are enclosed and keep to themselves. This is seen because they do not know what animals are, they have never seen an aircraft fly over them, and are frightened to see the ‘needle-nosed single-pilot jet’ because they have only seen cargo planes. This shows that they are oblivious to things outside their community.






The community also dilutes human emotions. For instance, there is a standard apology phrase to be said and accepted: “I accept your apology.” There is also no birthday and personal identification, other than name, and occupation after you are a Twelve. The people also do not understand feelings and emotions. For instance, Jonas’ parents think love is vague and obsolete. This shows how diluted human emotions are in the community.










There is also dilution of human relationships. This is seen when children are given birth to by Birthmothers, not parents, and hence they are not biologically-related to their parents. The children and spouses are also allocated, not chosen. Thus there is no personal effort on their part to cultivate relationships.






These are the features of Jonas’s community. After taking one brief glance at them, I am pretty sure you can identify with me that our world is a much better place to live in!

Response based on class discussion

On Tuesday, we attempted a few questions in our learning groups that undeniably enhanced my understanding of The Giver...







The first question was, ‘Do you think all the assignments are equal and well respected? Why or why not?’


The answer was, of course, no. Examples of honoring one assignment more than another were abundantly seen throughout the book. Firstly, the assignment of a Birthmother, was quite lacking in prestige. This is seen when Jonas’ mother ‘(calls) it a job without honour’. This shows that all assignments were not equal and well respected.


Furthermore, the night-crew nurturers are not very well respected either. This is shown in the book, ‘It was a lesser job, night-crew nurturing, assigned to those who lacked the interest or skills or insight for the more vital jobs of the daytime hours.’ From the way father addresses them, it is seen that night-crew nurturing is not a very well-respected job.


Another example would be that the job of the Receiver was very highly respected. This is seen when Jonas’ father tells him that Jonas had received ‘the most important job in the community.’ He is also repeatedly told by his mother that he ‘has been greatly honoured’ in being selected as the Giver. This clearly shows that not all jobs are equal, for if they had been, there would not be any job that has the highest honour.


From these examples, it is rather obvious that there is a hierarchy in terms of the honour of jobs. There are stigmas and stereotypes on the occupations, and this creates irony because the community claims that everyone is treated equally, though this is impossible. This is why utopia means impossible ideal. Human nature promotes individuality, and a Utopia of equality is not possible. Hence, all jobs are not equal and well-respected.






The second question was, ‘What does the system of allocating people their Assignments reflect about the society Jonas lives in?’


The system firstly shows that the community has total control over the people’s lives. They have no choices of freedom over the way they live in, such that they can not even choose the careers they wish to pursue. This shows how much the community confines and constricts the people. There is no democracy, only dominance in the community. The Committee of Elders is the one that makes all choices for the people, hence dominating them. This shows that the government has total control over the people and their lives.


The system also reflects that the society is very organized. This is because, they always manage to fill up every role with the suitable person, and there are hardly any disappointments. There are no two people of the same year who get the same assignments. There are also an adequate number of Assignments – not too much, not too few. This shows how organized the community is.


The system also shows that the society is very observant and perfection seeking. This is seen because they watch over the Elevens very closely to ensure that they make the right selections for the Assignments. The Committee of Elders take notes and hold long meetings to discuss their opinions so that nothing goes wrong. This shows that they are very observant and seek perfection.






The third question is, ‘The Chief Elder claims that the Assignments are a way of honouring differences. Does this ring true? Based on your knowledge of other parts of the novel, is Jonas’ society one that values sameness or difference?’


I think that this claim made by the Chief Elder is only true to a certain extent. This is because, it is constantly seen in the novel that the society values Sameness. This is seen because there is no sense of individuality in their community. Everything is standardized.


For instance, children of the same age get the same things each year. At birth, they get comfort objects. Fours, fives and sixes receive jackets with buttons at the back. Sevens get front-buttoned jackets. Eights receive jackets with smaller buttons and pockets. Nines receive bicycles. Tens get a change of hairstyle. Elevens get new undergarments and longer trousers. Only at twelve do they get various assignments. Until that, their only differences are their names. This shows that the society values uniformity.


Not only that, everyone gets the same food. This is seen in the book, ‘Food is delivered by the delivery crew everyday.’ It is so standardized they can not even choose the food they prefer to eat. This shows that the community values similarity.


Even the colours and weather in their community is controlled to ensure Sameness. The weather is controlled by the Climate Control. Colours were relinquished to eliminate choices. Adding on to that, the community did not have memories and pushed that entire burden to the Receiver. Moreover, everyone had the same features, and the community tries its very best to maintain it this way. This is seen when the Giver says, “I suppose the genetic scientists are still hard at work trying to work the kinks out. Hair like Fiona’s must drive them crazy.” Also, it is said in the book that ‘almost every citizen in the community (has) dark eyes.’ This shows that the community values Sameness.


Not only all that, even the family units are assigned. Spouse and children are allocated. This helps to cultivate people to sustain the society. The occupations are labels in place and are forms of identifications. Their names and ages become rather insignificant, and they are identified by their jobs. This shows that they value Sameness.






Other than these, we also discussed why the society is unnamed and has no geographical location. This is because Lois Lowry is trying to tell her readers that this society can take on any name and place. It is just a society where humans are almost equivalent to robots and everything is the same within it. It makes life meaningless.

After this discussion, I realised that Utopias were impossible. Even the term itself means impossible ideal. Whenever  people attempt to form Utopias, some dystopian elements always pop in. That is why utopias often end in failures or disasters. I suppose it is just better to live the way we do now, instead of making futile attempts to create a perfect utopia.

Photo montage

This picture portrays an eye with pale pupils, and triggers the memory of Jonas’s pale eyes, which distinguish him from the other members of the community. They are a symbol of perceptiveness. Everyone in the community has black eyes except for Jonas, Gabriel, a female five and the Giver. Jonas himself decides there is depth in the solemn, knowing eyes of Gabriel and guesses that is how people should feel like when they look into his eyes. People with such eyes have a power of perception, called 'seeing beyond', that others do not have. Jonas and the Giver can transmit and receive memories and see colours. The Giver can also hear music, something Jonas can do by the end of the book. Gabriel can also receive memories from Jonas. However, Lois Lowry does not directly state that people with pale eyes are more perceptive. We are left to assume so for our own.


This is the scene where Jonas sees the apple ‘change’ for a fleeting instant. The apple is his very first insight, where he catches a glimpse of the colour red. The apple is like his entrance into the vital world of feelings and ideas that he discovers. It also contributes to him being selected as the new Receiver because it made the Giver perceive that he had the capacity. Jonas knows that the shape, size and shade had remained the same. Yet he feels that some mystifying quality of it had changed. He later sees the same change the in faces of the crowd when he was given his Assignment and in Fiona’s hair, which is red as well. By the end of the novel, he is not only able to see all colours, but also many other things which may seem normal to us, but not in Jonas’ world.

This picture shows a baby with pale, solemn, knowing eyes, and highly reminds me of Gabriel, a symbol of hope and company to Jonas. He represents hope because since he is only a baby, he has not learnt the customs and rules of the community, and is still receptive to the memories transmitted to him. He gives him hope to change things and start over. Hence, he symbolizes hope.


Jonas flees the community to Elsewhere, not only to save Gabe from death, but also to start a new life with him – a life that does not encompass the insensible rules set by the community. Hence, Gabe is also a symbol of starting over.


Gabe is also a great company to Jonas because he is the only one Jonas knows other than the Giver who shares his unique ability. Jonas can identify with him, and when he feels as though he has lost his childhood and friendships and faces extreme loneliness, Gabe is of comfort to him.

This picture shows three people seated on chairs next to each other. The one on the left is a female, with the number 18 representing her, while the one on the left is a male with the number 20 representing him. The one in the middle, a male, has no number representing him, but there are three full stops hovering above him, as if to say he has been skipped. The background is not very clear. It is rather fuzzy and vague and looks as though a lot of old newspaper articles have been pasted haphazardly to form a messy background.


This picture depicts the scene where Jonas anxiously sits in the Auditorium to receive his assignment, after Fiona, number 18 had received hers. However, his turn is skipped and the Chief Elder simply moves on to the next person, Pierre, number 20. This leaves both Jonas and the crowd shocked and uncomfortable. There is a hush in the crowd. Jonas’ imagination starts to run wild. He thinks of all the endless possibilities as to why he had not been called – the Chief Elder could have made a mistake or Jonas could have forgotten his own number, both of which are quite impossible because the Chief Elder made no mistakes, especially at the Ceremony of Twelve, and Jonas had always been Nineteen. There was another possibility which caused him humiliation and terror – he could have done something wrong or disgraceful. However, when all others have been assigned he is called upon and is selected as the new Receiver. This is something he did not expect in the least, and is very surprised at having received such an honourable job. However, he is also anxious about what would become of him. Hence, there is much tension in this scene, and it holds until Jonas meets the Giver and is reassured.

This picture depicts a boy on a red sled riding down a snowy hill. This picture is similar to the very first memory transmitted to Jonas by the Giver. However, it is different in that the boy is much younger than Jonas, and it is not snowing in this picture, as it was in the memory. Also, the hill does not seem as steep as it was described in the memory. This memory gives much delight and excitement to Jonas and he forgets about his initial anxiousness regarding his training. It fills him with questions and makes him eager for whatever experience that would come next. However, he forgets that there would be memories that would inflict mental and physical pain upon him. It is not until the later part of the book that he realizes that his training is not only filled with happy memories.


The sled in this memory is also a symbol of the journey Jonas takes during his training and the discoveries he makes. The sled is red, a colour that symbolizes the new, vital world of feelings and ideas that he discovers. Before the Giver transmits the memory to him, he compares the role of the Receiver to the way riding down a sled is exhilarating at first, but after the snow accumulates on the runners, you slow down and have to push hard to keep going. The snow that accumulates represents the difficulties he will face in the course if his training.


Jonas too enjoys the ride very much. However, the sled can be treacherous and this is seen in the first memory of extreme pain Jonas receives. The sled makes us realise that pleasure and pain are inevitably related. Something that gives pure delight can also inflict a lot of pain.


At the end of the novel, when Jonas finds a real sled, much like the one in his memory, waiting for him at the top of the hill, it symbolizes his entry into a world where colour, sensation and emotion truly exist, not just in memories.

The River that runs through the community and into Elsewhere, symbolizes escape from the confines of the community. When Caleb drowns in the river, it is an unpredictable event that the community can neither prevent nor control. This gives Jonas and the Giver the inspiration to try to change the community by the ides of the river’s unpredictable behaviour. They come up with the idea to use the River as the reason why Jonas is missing the next day. Jonas’ absence would change the community greatly in that they would have to face all his memories.

This picture shows strokes of various colours forming an elegant wave. It reminds me of the memory of the rainbow that was transmitted to Jonas by the Giver. It is the memory where Jonas expresses the first few complaints and objections towards the community. He feels that there are not any choices when there are no colours. This also shows that the community has absolute control over them, even for the most minor of matters like colours!



This picture depicts a scene of Christmas celebrations, and immediately makes me recall The Giver. In the novel, the memory of Christmas is the Giver’s most favourite one. However, he still transmits it to Jonas wholeheartedly. Jonas cherishes and enjoys it too. It is through this memory that he learns of Grandparents and of love. He feels love towards Gabriel and the Giver, who he feels is like a grandfather to him. It is also after this memory that he asks his parents if they love him, and they reply that love is a very vague word and is obsolete. Jonas is appalled and shocked. He realizes how emotionless and unknowing his fellow community members are like.


The memory also serves sort of like a destination or goal for Jonas because after he receives the memory of the sled, he dreams of repeatedly sliding down the snowy hill, and feels as though there were a destination that lay beyond the place where the thickness of snow brought the sled to stop. He has this good feeling that the destination was welcoming and significant.

This cartoon depicts the escape scene of The Giver. It shows Jonas standing in the middle of the picture, holding Gabriel in his arms. He has a definite and determined expression on his face. There is an apple on the floor next to him. A spotlight from a search plane is falling on Jonas, Gabriel, and the apple, thus illuminating them and they are the only things in the picture who are portrayed in colours. Other items are black and white. Jonas and Gabriel are not in black and white so that they stand out from the rest of the picture. This is to show that they are out of the confines of the community. The apple is red because it serves as the starting point of Jonas journey from the world of no emotions, sensations and colours, to a whole new one full of them. In the snowy background, the Giver is standing on Jonas’ right and his parents are on his left. They represent the rest of the community. They look rather emotionless. Perhaps there is an edge of concern on his parents’ faces, and a look of encouragement on the Givers’. However, the cartoonist did not make it very clear. Maybe he is trying to show us how robotic and emotionless the community is. This part of the book is very exhilarating and brimming with excitement, for it is the climax. The ending is a cliff-hanger, to increase the effect of the suspense.

Poem and  my response

Tedious Utopia



by ~ Chanti




Long ago and faraway
where all good tales began
in a land of plenty
not marred by thinking man
No poverty or sickness,
no anger, greed or hate
Time was not the master
and folk were never late
Utopian land of dreams
Heavenly place to some
To one man it seemed tedious
“A paradise for the dumb.”
“Not for those who question
or rise to seize the day,
No challenges to stretch their minds”
was what he’d like to say.
Others seemed content
in the endless glow of sun
but the wise man prayed most earnestly
that it would come undone
He grew tired of endless day
and longed for the contrast of night
because ‘Only after darkness
can they hope to see the light.’
He looked upon the people
grown complacent, soft and fat
“Nothing more and nothing less.
What’s a ball without a bat?”
There’s no competition
When everyone agrees
Surrounded by perfection
what could they hope to see?
A better world is found
in balanced black and white
Growth can only happen
through challenges in life.
Hearts and minds grow stronger
when they bravely bear the load
How can one develop
with only one choice of road?"


This wonderful and thoughtful poem has captured my attention greatly in that it is a philosophical write that ponders the question "Is perfection good for us?" It makes us think that perhaps heaven can only be reached when you have been through hell. This is a dystopian poem set in a utopian society. I like the fact that this poem is very similar to the The Giver.This society is very much alike to Jonas’ society and the wise man in this poem is similar to the Giver in that both feel distaste in a utopian society which eliminates mental and physical pain, individuality and other components of life. These feelings are also experienced by Jonas at a later part of the book.

 
This poem deals with several themes such as the elimination of human feelings and suffering, the importance of individuality and the negative impact of extreme perfection. These themes can be seen in The Giver as well.

 Elimination of human feelings and suffering can be seen in this poem when the man in the poem says, ‘No poverty or sickness, no anger, greed or hate’ can be seen in the community he lives in. These elements - poverty, sickness, anger, greed and hate are not present in Jonas’ community either and this elimination is not a very good thing for people because they experience no real joy or love and do not understand how gifted they are. You will understand happiness only when you have been through sorrow. This is portrayed in the poem, 'Only after darkness can they hope to see light.' Hence, there is not only no sorrow and hatred there is also no joy and love in both communities and this is not very good for the members.






The poem also shows that there is no importance of individuality in a utopian society. This is seen in the poem when the man asks, “How can one develop with only one choice of road?" and says that, “There’s no competition”. In The Giver, this same issue is seen in that all members carry out uniform lives. Even the career they wish to pursue is not chosen by them.






The negative impact of perfection is seen when the man questions, ‘Surrounded by perfection, what could they hope to see?’ This is seen in the Giver after Jonas learns the truth of how the community eliminated many things to achieve perfection. It is then that Jonas learns that over perfection ultimately leads to deprivation and oppression.






This poem has also attracted me because of the fact that it has to be analysed deeply in order for us to understand its meaning fully. I thus feel that this is a very meaningful poem that correlates to The Giver.

My initial response to The Giver

When I first started reading the book, I thought it was very simple and direct because Lois Lowry had used pretty easy, elementary English. However, as I progressed I realized that she was dealing with rather deep, complicated themes. She has balanced the themes of freedom and security to let the reader grapple with his own thoughts.







The start of the book is very important as it provides the reader with his first impression of it. Whether or not the reader wants to continue reading the book depends on the introduction. As for me, I felt The Giver was started in a very interesting way that urges the reader to continue reading it. From the very start itself, this book hints to the reader that this story is taking place in a world very different from ours. As the story progresses, the community's perfect and organised ways make us realise it has a Utopian atmosphere.






My favourite character is indeed the Giver. I like his wisdom, patience, restraint and quietness, which make him an excellent teacher and mentor. I like the fact that he has the power to endure the loneliness and physical and mental pain that he has to undergo in the course of his training. As for Jonas, the first impression I got of him is that he is very thoughtful and precise. This is seen at the start of the novel, where he ponders about the right word to use to express his feelings.






My favourite part of the story when The Giver shared about Rosemary and revealed that she was his very own daughter. It was very touching and there was an air of suspense hovering above me as I read it.


However, the ending did not impress me that much for it was rather vague and left the reader to interpret what would happen next. I was pretty eager to know the sequential events, and was rather disappointed and confused in not being able to know it. However, though a cliff-hanger was not at all what I had anticipated, I do like the fact that it was like a mystery ending which allows the reader's imagination to run wild.






This book has taught me a good lesson as well. I have learnt to honour and admire my world and life for what they are. It has inculcated many good values in me, such as expressing appreciation and satisfaction for all things in life. All in all, The Giver was a simply fabulous book which is sure to hold the readers tingling with anticipation till the very end, or perhaps, like in my case, even after that. :)