What dystopian characteristics are presented in The Giver
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“We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.”; This is a quote from Lois Lowry’s The Giver. Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver, is a compelling and thought-provoking work of young adult fiction that explores themes of individuality, freedom, and societal control. According to Anggriani, The Giver is set in a dystopian world where emotions and memories are suppressed; the novel follows the story of Jonas, a young boy chosen to become the next Receiver of Memory, tasked with holding the collective memories of the community (4). One of the novel’s central themes is the importance of individuality and the dangers of a homogenous society. Anggriani also stated that in The Giver, conformity is valued above all else, and the government seeks to suppress any form of individual expression or creativity. However, as Jonas begins to receive memories of the past, he begins to question the strict rules and regulations that govern his society, recognizing the importance of diversity and personal choice.
The novel also explores the idea of freedom and its role in shaping our identities. According to Anggriani, as Jonas gains access to past memories, he understands the depth of human experience and the importance of making choices for oneself (6). He also recognizes that true freedom comes with the potential for pain and suffering and that individuals must be allowed to make their own choices, even if they lead to negative consequences. Another important theme of the novel is the role of memory in shaping our understanding of the world. Through Jonas’ experiences as the Receiver of Memory, we see how memories shape our identities and perceptions of the world around us (Anggriani 6). We also see how memories can be used as a tool for social control, with the government using its control over memories to manipulate and shape the beliefs and behaviours of the community. The extreme level of control exerted by the government, the suppression of emotions and memories, and the emphasis on efficiency and productivity are all powerful dystopian characteristics that challenge readers to think critically about the role of society in shaping our lives and the importance of personal freedom and autonomy.
In Lois Lowry’s The Giver, one of the most striking dystopian characteristics presented is the extreme level of control that the government exerts over its citizens. According to Marina, in the novel, every aspect of life is tightly regulated, from the clothes people wear to the jobs they hold and the children they have; This level of control is designed to create a sense of conformity and homogeneity within the community, and to suppress any form of individual expression or creativity (17). The government’s control is exemplified by the Committee of Elders, which makes all important decisions for the community, including assigning jobs, spouses, and children to families. Marina also stated that the government also tightly regulates language, with citizens being prohibited from using certain words that might stir up strong emotions or suggest disobedience; This level of control is reinforced by a system of surveillance and punishment, with citizens who break the rules being subjected to public shaming or even “release,” a euphemism for euthanasia (23). The extreme level of government control in The Giver is a warning against the dangers of unchecked authority and the importance of individual freedom and autonomy. By suppressing individual expression and creativity, the novel’s government creates a society devoid of art, music, and personal relationships. Citizens are reduced to cogs in a machine, with their lives defined by their productivity and ability to conform to the community’s rules. The government’s control over language is also a chilling reminder of how language can be used as a tool of oppression. By prohibiting certain words and phrases, the government in The Giver seeks to control the thoughts and emotions of its citizens, reinforcing a sense of conformity and obedience (Marina 15). Thus, in Lois Lowry’s The Giver, one of the most striking dystopian characteristics presented is the extreme level of control that the government exerts over its citizens as seen because, in the novel, every aspect of life is tightly regulated, from the clothes people wear to the jobs they hold and the children they have.
Another dystopian characteristic in Lois Lowry’s The Giver is the suppression of emotions and memories. According to Muntian in the novel, citizens are expected to suppress their emotions and conform to a strict set of rules and regulations; This is achieved through a combination of medication and the suppression of memories, with citizens being denied access to any knowledge of the past that might evoke strong emotions or disrupt the sense of order and conformity within the community (20). The suppression of emotions and memories serves a dual purpose in the novel. On the one hand, it helps to create a sense of stability and order within the community, with citizens being able to focus on their work and duties without being distracted by strong emotions or personal relationships. However, this suppression also has a darker side, with citizens being denied access to their emotions and memories and with personal relationships being reduced to rigid rules and regulations (Muntian 24). The impact of this suppression of emotions and memories is explored through the character of Jonas, the novel’s protagonist. As Jonas begins to gain access to the memories that the community has suppressed, he experiences a range of emotions that he had previously been denied. He discovers the joys of love and friendship, the pain of loss and grief, and the sense of injustice that comes from being denied access to the truth about his own society (Muntian 23). The suppression of emotions and memories in The Giver is a powerful commentary on how society seeks to control and manipulate its citizens. By denying citizens access to their own emotions and memories, the government in the novel aims to create a population that is easier to control and manipulate; This is a warning against the dangers of a society that seeks to suppress individuality and creativity in the name of order and stability (Muntian 26). Thus, in Lois Lowry’s The Giver, another dystopian characteristic is the suppression of emotions and memories because citizens are expected to suppress their emotions and conform to a strict set of rules and regulations.
Another key dystopian characteristic of The Giver, a novel by Lois Lowry, is the emphasis on efficiency and productivity over personal relationships and connections. According to Prévost et al., the society depicted in The Giver places a premium on efficiency and productivity, with citizens expected to prioritize their work and duties over personal relationships and connections (4). The society in The Giver is highly regulated, with citizens being assigned roles based on their skills and abilities. These roles maximize productivity and efficiency, with citizens expected to focus solely on their assigned tasks and duties. As a result, personal relationships and connections are discouraged, and citizens are taught to value efficiency and productivity over personal fulfillment and happiness; This emphasis on efficiency and productivity serves a dual purpose in the novel (Prévost et al. 4). On the one hand, it helps to create a highly productive and efficient society, with citizens being able to focus on their work and duties without being distracted by personal relationships or emotions. However, this emphasis also has a darker side, with citizens being denied the opportunity to form deep and meaningful relationships and with personal fulfillment and happiness being sacrificed in the name of efficiency and productivity (Prévost et al. 4). The impact of this emphasis on efficiency and productivity is explored through the character of Jonas, the novel’s protagonist. As Jonas gains access to the memories that the community has suppressed, he discovers the joys of personal relationships and connections. He learns about the importance of love and friendship. He begins to understand the value of personal fulfillment and happiness (Prévost et al. 5). Thus, another dystopian characteristic of The Giver is the emphasis on efficiency and productivity over personal relationships and connections because the novel places a premium on efficiency and productivity, with citizens being expected to prioritize their work and duties over personal relationships and connections.
In conclusion, The Giver, a novel by Lois Lowry, presents several dystopian characteristics that warn against the dangers of a society that values control, suppression, and efficiency over personal freedom, emotions, and emotional relationships. The extreme level of control exerted by the government, the suppression of emotions and memories, and the emphasis on efficiency and productivity are all powerful dystopian characteristics that challenge readers to think critically about the role of society in shaping our lives and the importance of personal freedom and autonomy. By exploring these dystopian characteristics and their impact on the characters in the novel, The Giver encourages readers to question the values and priorities of our modern society and strive for a world that values personal freedom, emotions, and relationships as much as it does productivity and efficiency. Ultimately, The Giver is a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection, emotional depth, and personal fulfillment in our lives. It serves as a warning against the dangers of a society that seeks to suppress these essential aspects of our humanity.
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Muntian, Antonina O., and Iryna V. Shpak. “Humanistic Intention of Dystopia in” The Giver” by Lois Lowry.” (2021).
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Prévost, Alice, and Véronique Bragard. “Teaching dystopian literature to Secondary Schools’ Students: based on Lois Lowry’s” The Giver”(2022).”
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