In a world that does not know pain. Devoid of colo Essays

In a world that does not know pain. Devoid of colour, where everything is the same. The Giver by Lois Lowrey is a 1993 dystopian novel, which has truly changed my perspective on many things in my life. The plot follows Jonas - A unique character, in a society where sameness governs over individuality. He alone was chosen to be the receiver of memories, a burden that involves absorbing all the memories of the past including peace, war and colour with which he successfully criticises their social framework. Through Lowrey's exploration of memory's importance and individuality, I was profoundly enlightened with the discovery that our experiences, successes and failures are what make us who we are today; and looking at the big picture, how our history has shaped humanity itself. Lowrey explores the importance of memory through the Giver, which has allowed me to discover the notion that knowledge of the past influences our decisions in the present. During the beginning of Jonas' training, the Giver explains the importance of memory so that society does not make the same mistakes again. The Giver's personification "It is how wisdom comes" enlivens the knowledge of humanity's past errors, portraying the effect of past experiences on the present. The giver further goes on to explain how this "wisdom" is "how we shape our future", a metaphorical comparison of our future to something physically malleable. Thus uniquely revealing to us how the past influences our present decisions, and how these decisions are what help us "shape our future". This scene powerfully revealed to me that our future is in our hands and that my decisions are what will determine, my destiny. The novel, The Giver, also illustrates the value of individuality in a society of conformity and sameness, challenging my mentality of taking my rights for granted. As Jonas begins to absorb the memories of colour during his training, the freedoms that were relinquished by society were revealed to him. Jonas vents "If everything's the same, then there aren't any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things! Jonas' use of imperative tone, demonstrates his passionate longing for individual freedom and choice that he has never known under an oppressive regime as these decisions are usually predetermined by others. The scene also urges us to critique the conditions we live under, just as Jonas questions his own in order secure and maintain our freedom of expression that we so often take for granted, and make our society a better place. Through this exploration Lowry attempts to inform the audience of the dangers that exist when people opt for conformity over individuality and furthermore make me better value the freedoms that I have. In summary, the exploration of the importance memory and its relevance in making decisions in the present, has revealed to me that my memories are what shape me as a person. The value of individuality highlighted in the novel urged me to appreciate my unique characteristics and the freedoms that I exercise. The Giver by Lois Lowrey, an exceptionally intriguing book indeed, a novel that has truly changed me.