The Giver

A detailed Summary of The Giver

When Jonas is first discovering colors, he states that the society should be able to make their own decisions. He says that it would be nice to choose a red tunic or a blue one instead of the same thing every day. In "The Giver," Jonas's society had choices, but each choice was very regulated or limited. For example, the choice to speak and the choice to do certain things during free times or holidays. As far as choices that were even partially liberated, this is about all I can think about. Other common choices, such as our own choices today, were regulated. For example, what to eat, what to wear, time management, the bike you rode, what you did, taking the pill for the stirrings, and much more. The list could go on and on. Such a society lacked color for a good reason. Life is full of color, even though life was existent in this society, it was by far not colorful.

The society can be looked upon as a oxymoron. It seems as though the committees whole reason for keeping the society the way it is, is because it was there "perfect society." It lacked pain and emotion, it lacked color and vibrance, it also lacked choices. The committee believed that the choice making should be left up to them and with

To experience emotions, to be able to make choices, to speak what you feel and is on your mind is a liberating way of life. I find this to be a better way than Jonas's society. His society forces apologies when needed, but are they genuine? Most of the time I would say they are not. In my life I believe that honesty and genuine qualities, and every free expression that is good or bad, of a person are what make that person. Don't get we wrong, most people, including myself, have a hard time being genuine and honest. Expressing emotion, enjoying colors, making choices, enjoying life, and getting through the hard times is what makes life great. We can have a life of formality and boredom. We can have a life of predictability and practicality. But, even the Lord our God calls us to live our life radically. Freedom, choices, and emotion are all part of a divine and wonderful life. This does not mean that we as a society should not be governed and have rules. We must have rules to look out for the well being of others. In Jonas's society well being is looked upon with the view of predictability and conformity. It is looked upon with CONTROL, and it is not your own. To live life you must be controlled, I don't think so. Yes, I agree that you must be controlled, but by your own will. Even God says "let me take control," but it must be by your own will that he comes into your life. Then the Lord's will becomes your will.

The giver raises this point in the book: would it be good for all to know what I know or just me? At times, even the committee would have to come to the receiver for advice. I think to know is part of life. Every society is regulated somehow, and can never be completely free. Yet, more liberation and freedom from Jonas's society w

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1195
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English