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Class Discussion
Thursday, July 29, 2010 In a class discussion about The Giver, it is mentioned that there is total control and no privacy in Jonas’s community. Total control refers not just over the weather or colour but the citizens and their lives as well, giving them no choice of freedom over their interest in life. For instance, the Elders were increasingly observing the elevens during recreation time and volunteer hours. It seems as though people have no more privacy as they are under constant surveillance. Assignments given to the individuals were based on their abilities and skills and not one’s interest. The community placed capabilities over interest to get the best out of the community. Hence, people of the community lack the freedom of making the choice of doing what they aspire. Besides these, total control also covers the aspect, choice of their family unit. Spouses are assigned and children are being applied for. In Jonas’s community, the control is so tight and strict that one cannot even choose his or her own spouse and have their own children. I will not want to live in Jonas’s society. Can you imagine the feeling of being observed all the time? It feels exactly like I am a prisoner and someone is watching me to ensure that I will not escape. The community knows every move of the citizens. For instance, Jonas removed the apple from the recreation area and brought it home. Later in the day, the speaker announced: THIS IS A REMINDER TO MALE ELEVENS THAT OBJECTS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE RECREATION AREA AND THAT SNACKS ARE TO BE EATEN, NOT HOARDED. It is mentioned in the book that the community knows who the culprit is but his or her name will not be mentioned. From this, we can tell that the community tracks one’s every move where one is constantly being watched. The community has no sense of privacy and I dislike the fact of being constantly observed. I would feel disturbed and conscious in whatever I do especially when the Elders are watching me. The most annoying thing in Jonas’s community is that there is no freedom. I want to make my own choices instead of letting others do it for me. I would like to make a choice my own assignment according to my interest rather than my abilities. Moreover, I am going to do it throughout my adult life and I would not want to do jobs which I do not like. I understand the fact the assignments are given because it is feared that people will make wrong choices. Wrong choices refer to failures and mistakes. However, isn’t that the true meaning of life where people go through trials and face difficulties in life? After such experiences, people will then become more experienced and careful in life. By not allowing people to make their own choices, the community is lacking the chance to learn to be independent, learning how to manage problems and enquiring new knowledge. I feel happy to be free to make my own decisions in life, for example, deciding my job when I grow up. I prefer a job which I have interest for rather than what I excel in. I believe that we should choose a job which we have a love for so that we can enjoy the process and hence, progress and excel in it. I would not find joy in working for what I do not like. Therefore, I am happy to be in a world where I am free to make my own decisions. In Jonas’s society, colours represent freedom. The fact that everything is the same where there are no colours, only black and white, reflect that there are no choices in the society. I feel sorry for Jonas’s society in which they cannot even choose their spouse and bear their own children. I personally feel that the control is too tight and people should have some freedom in life. In life, I think most of us like the freedom of making our own choices and would not want to live in Jonas’s community. Freedom of choice is important if not, life will be dull and boring. |
