The Giver Language Analysis

In the book, The Giver, language is often used as a tool for social control. For example the terms release, Ceremony of the Loss, and comfort object have deeper meanings to them than what is displayed to the people community. These terms are used to make pain, grief, suffering and even comfort go away, or at least dull their emotions. The people of the community when kids start to have Stirrings, also known as feelings as a result of puberty. They want everyone to be and feel the same, so that there will be no conflict. They even want everyone to look the same; they have ceremonies where all of the kids of the same age get the same haircut and clothing. Because of the fact that this Utopian world is set in the future, I think the Elders set these rules because they lived through grief and suffering throughout history, watching people die in wars, of old age, or because of sickness. …show more content…
If someone breaks a rule, is sick past the point of saving, or gets too old, they are “released”. I think when someone is released it is like they are an animal and they are being put down. I think when it is time to be released they give the person a shot that will kill them. By giving death a new name they are covering the pain and grief you should feel when someone dies. The Elders tell you not to miss them and that they left this world peacefully when they really just killed a person that you maybe cared about. When the Elder’s give horrible life situations different names and meanings, it is like painting a sharp blade with rainbows and unicorns so a child child feels more safe around it. But the truth is, children should not feel safe around blades and people should not feel ok with someone’s