Discussion Topic
Exploring the Origins, Characteristics, and Potential Reforms of the Dystopian Community in The Giver
Summary:
The dystopian community in The Giver is characterized by strict control, the suppression of emotions, and the elimination of individuality to maintain societal order. Originating from a desire to eliminate pain and conflict, the community enforces conformity through rules and rituals. Potential reforms could include reintroducing emotions, memories, and individual freedoms to restore personal choice and genuine human connections.
What was The Giver's idea for community change in The Giver?
The Giver has entertained the thought of changing things in the community in the past, but has never been able to figure out how to do it, and so has given up on the idea. When Jonas suggests, with youthful enthusiasm, that things should be different in the community, The Giver responds wryly, "How do you suggest we do that? I've never been able to think of a way, and I'm supposed to be the one with all the wisdom". Jonas and The Giver both know that the channel for change provided by the community, to apply for a change of rules, is pointless. As The Giver observes,
"The decision (that the memories be kept from the people) was made long before my time or yours...before the previous Receiver, and...back and back and back".
The Giver's reluctant acceptance of this refrain is an ominous sign that "nothing could be changed"...
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(Chapter 14).
Jonas brings up the fact that, now that there are two of them, perhaps change can be brought about. The Giver is at first incredulous, but after thinking about it for awhile, he says to Jonas,
"...having you here with me over the past year has made me realize that things must change. For years I've felt that they should, but it seemed so hopeless. Now for the first time I think there might be a way".
Having decided that a change might be achieved, The Giver and Jonas embark on a plan that is dangerous and risky, but if it is successful, the people will be able to share the memories once more (Chapter 20).
What aspects make the community in The Giver a dystopia?
While Utopian fiction is a peek into a future in which society is working very well, dystopian literature is that which gives us a look at a future that is not working out at all. A dystopian work shows us a future that is dysfunctional, usually because mankind has made some dreadful mistake or miscalculation. While on the surface, the society in The Giver seems quite successful, it is clear by the end of the book that it is profoundly dysfunctional in ways that only the Giver and Jonas are privy to because they are the only fully human people in the story.
The mistake that the community has made is to have given up what makes its people human in exchange for security and stability. They must conform to the rules of Sameness, which takes away most of their choices. They have given up the sense of color and music. They have given up emotions such as happiness and love. They have given up memories of anything that happened before their lives began. They have no choice in mates, child-bearing, or in work. In exchange, they have a sterile, climate-controlled existence, which seems to keep them free of disease and food or housing insecurity. They are safe, but while they have traded away unhappiness, they are not capable of happiness, either.
While there may be some who do not see this as dystopia, I think most people understand that this is a bad bargain, that giving up choices and differences, giving up color and music, giving up all the best of human emotions, is a choice that leads to a community of essentially robots, who follow the leaders unquestioningly. The Giver and Jonas understand the cost that the community has paid, even though the people themselves do not see it.