In The Giver, the theme of Sameness is central to the society's structure. The community in which Jonas lives has eliminated differences to ensure stability, safety, and predictability. This concept of Sameness involves significant sacrifices, including the loss of personal freedoms, individuality, and emotional depth. While Sameness provides certain advantages, it also imposes severe limitations on the human experience.

Sameness offers a stable and secure environment. Citizens live without fear of violence or crime, as their lives are strictly regulated by the Committee of Elders. This control extends to all aspects of life, including career, family, and even the weather. The Giver explains to Jonas that snow was eliminated through "Climate Control" because it hindered agriculture and transportation:

"Climate Control. Snow made growing food difficult, limited the agricultural periods. And unpredictable weather made transportation almost impossible at times. It wasn't a practical thing, so it became obsolete when we went to Sameness" (83-84).

By controlling the environment, the community has managed to eradicate hunger and improve economic productivity.

However, the disadvantages of Sameness are profound. The lack of personal choice and individuality is a significant drawback. Citizens cannot choose their professions, spouses, or even their children. The absence of color, music, and strong emotions further impoverishes their lives. Jonas, who begins to "see the color red," realizes the beauty and emotion that his community has sacrificed for the sake of uniformity. This suppression of diversity leads to ethical issues, such as the euthanasia of those who do not conform, euphemistically referred to as "release." Jonas is horrified when he learns the truth about this practice:

"To his surprise, his father began very carefully to direct the needle into the top of newchild's forehead, puncturing the place where the fragile skin pulsed. The newborn squirmed, and wailed faintly. . . He killed it! My father killed it! Jonas said to himself, stunned at what he was realizing" (149-151).

This chilling revelation underscores the moral cost of maintaining Sameness.

The absence of color is another aspect of Sameness that highlights the community's loss. While it simplifies life and reduces envy, it also strips away beauty and choice. The Giver helps Jonas understand this by transmitting memories of color, such as a rainbow. The lack of color symbolizes the community's emotional and aesthetic deprivation. By eliminating color, the society has removed a fundamental aspect of human experience, leaving its citizens in a dull, monochromatic world.