Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Giver: Part 1
Let's go ahead and open up discussion for the first reading section of The Giver. I know most of us have read it before, but what were your initial impressions of the lives these people lead and the community to which they belong? What about their perceptions of things like emotions at this stage in the reading? More on that in the next section, but initially, what was the impression? How about the idea of children and parents not being related by blood, someone else evaluating you and choosing your future for you, including spouse, your job, where you live, and how you think? Basically, to begin with, I'd like to discuss all the aspects of this society that we've noticed and how well (or poorly) they function, and how they affect these people's lives. Then we can open it up from there and go on to Jonas and how his Ceremony of Twelve changes things for him within the society.
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3 comments:
First of all, I'm realizing that I tend to really enjoy dystopian literature. The Giver reminds me of George Orwell's 1984 and Ayn Rand's Anthem, both of which I found unsettling but fascinating. I also realized that the book that I've selected to lead later this year, Uglies, is another dystopian novel.
My initial impression when reading The Giver was that all was not as it seemed to be. There is an almost suffocating feel about the society depicted, and it feels sinister to me.
The lack of choice is one of the more striking elements in this society. A fundamental principle of mankind is agency, and in this society, no one is able to act on agency. They are compelled in all that they do, and the creepy thing is that they are convinced that they like what they are told to do.
The other aspect of this society that stands out to me is how bland it is. The plus side is that there appears to be very little to no violence or conflict. Society functions in a very mechanical way, and any aberrations are quickly dealt with. However, everyone is pretty cookie cutter - no individual birthdays celebrated (they're all lumped into the same date in December, regardless of whether they were born months or just weeks before the Naming); no names initially, either, just numbers; each year they all receive the same thing or go through the same steps on their progression to enter society as adults; and through it all, they never have a choice - who they marry, what they do.
So, I suppose in answer to whether the society functions well or poorly depends on what one expects of society. For zero crime and content citizenry, society appears to function just fine. If you are one of the aberrations, beware because you might find yourself "released" and all the sinister connotations that term implies.
"'This is the time,' she began, looking directly at them, 'when we acknowledge differences. You Elevens have spent all your years till now learning to fit in, to standardize your behavior, to curb any impulse that might set you apart from the group.
"'But today we honor your differences. They have determined your futures.'"
This quote near the beginning of chatper 7...it's creepy. I think it's natural for people to want to conform to a certain extent. Certainly teenagers do their utmost to fit in their groups and cliques and not stand out in any way too much. But, this society is taking this concept to the extreme. Which again makes me think of society as fairly bland. I admit I'm pretty eccentric, but aren't we all in some way? And isn't that what makes us all special and unique? No one's really unique here...except Jonas. And for that he gets "honor" which again doesn't seem to be exactly what the word may imply.
I agree with all of your comments, Kate. Everything in this society is arranged so that it functions perfectly, but it all feels so superficial, almost fake. Little things like the apologies are clues to this. Standardizing them robs them of any meaning, so that the truth behind the incorrect action is lost, and becomes nothing but habit. The way I was brought up, if you said you were sorry, you had thought about what you had done and meant that you weren't going to try to do it again. Their sorries are empty. Again with the sharing of feelings, and the telling of dreams, you're trained not to keep secrets, so that any individual thoughts, any ideas about difference or rebellion are thrust into the open and quashed. Everyone is so comfortable because they don't have to think. Jonas, as I see it, is one of the only ones who relishes individuality, and this is evidenced in such a small scene as to be unnoticed by most: when he chooses his volunteer hours, and states that he enjoys the freedom of choice. There are kids who do the same thing for the entire four years, like Benjamin, and then there's Jonas, who is uncertain because he hasn't conformed completely to any one choice. More on this to come, but it's late and I'm having trouble thinking. I will post the second half reading thoughts tomorrow...family event today, and I only just got home now.
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