My thoughts on Jonas

My most favourite character would, of course, be Jonas. He is exeptionally affectionate, respectful, polite and wise for a 12-year-old boy. He cares so much for baby Gabe that he was willing to change his plans and break the rules to save him from being Released. He is also the only one in the community, apart from the Giver, who has the ability to love, though, pathetically, the love isn't returned to him. His ability to love, together with his unique pale eyes and many other features, makes him special.

It seems to me that the title of the book, The Giver may not necessarily refer to the actual Giver, that is, the old Receiver of Memory, alone. Jonas can also be considered The Giver, can't he? I mean, in many situations, he gives and provides. For instance, he gives baby Gabe a chance to live by bringing him away from the Community before he is Released. He also gives Gabe soothing memories like that of a sailing boat to put him to sleep. Moreover, by leaving the Community, he gives (well, transmits) his memories to its citizens to help them experience pain and pleasure and ultimately happiness and wisdom. From this, we can also notice that he is very sacrificial as he sacrifices the comforts of his safe life in the Community and risks his life to save Gabe and to help the citizens of the Community, well, let's just say, become more humane.

For all these reasons, the character Jonas, has won my admiration. :)

My initial response to The Giver

I truly enjoyed The Giver, a novel by Lois Lowry that more or less belongs to the 'science fiction' category. It's about a boy named Jonas who lives in the Community. There were many likable features about this story such as the deceptive simplicity of the story and our access to Jonas' thoughts and feelings. The lead of this story was really excellent as it compelled me to continue reading. The body was also very enrapturing. One of the stages where my engagement with the book reached the pinnacle would be during the Ceremony of Twelve where Jonas was "skipped". I suppose I was as stunned and befuddled as Jonas was. This is another likable feature; I am able to place myself in the shoes of Jonas. The problem was apparent all the while-the seemingly perfect community is not so perfect after all, to put it in simple words. However, what I found utterly disappointing about this story was its highly ambiguous and rather blunt ending. I would have been very much better if the author had written a solid ending instead of leaving us to decide the ending ourselves.

There were quite a number of facts about this book that really frazzled me. There was no colour, music, animals, sunshine, love and so much more. How is it possible? It’s simply absurd! There is a security of choices t make. One of the choices would be the freedom to choose where to spend “volunteer” (I’m sarcastic) hours. Jonas seems exhilarated with the freedom to choose this and considers it a “wonderful luxury”. Actually, it isn’t really volunteer work as it is obligatory and they and they have no choice but to do it. The fact that Jonas finds choosing one’s job “frightening” bemuses me as after all, that is what we do in reality. How can they possibly live without colour, music, feelings, animals (although, I can be quite sure that there would be no germs and therefore, no diseases) etcetera? They use bicycles to move around the country, which contributes to saving the Earth, in our world’s context but- what’s there to save? Everything’s perfect- perhaps too perfect. The law and order is rather effective and most of them help to maintain peace. It does seem, however, too autocratic a rule.

Although “The Giver” is pretty futuristic, people in the book wear tunics, which is something of the past! I suppose it contrasts the modern life they live in.

I very much disagree with the action of release. People ought to die naturally! I feel that it is very wrong and inane to be injected to death! All ‘newchildren’ have the right to live and it’s ethically wrong to kill them!

I also disagree with the use of a discipline wand for the Old. I’ve heard the saying ‘old age is second childhood’ but the use of a discipline wand for the Old is Taking this saying to a whole new level. The Old have lived have lived their lives well and their liver are almost over! Why chastise them? I find this preposterous.

I don’t understand why the people chose Sameness. From my point of view, it seems that the life during Sameness seems tasteless and humdrum. I mean, what’s the life without colour and music.

But what’s most disturbing is that there is no love in the community. I was close to tears when he realised that his parents don’t love him and that they think ‘love’ is “a very generalised word that is meaningless”.

After reading “The Giver”, I’ve learnt to appreciate the marvellous life God has given me- A life full of colour, music, feelings, animals(well maybe not so) and above all, love. Nobody or nothing is perfect. And I like it the way it is.