T H E R E C I V E R O F
M E M O R I E S
Does Jonas change over the course of this novel? Some may argue to say not, but here is my argument on how he does in fact change very much, in this novel, ‘The Giver’. For starters, we see that Jonas used to be like most everyone else in ‘the community’; emotionless and very much sheltered - robots. Although all of that had changed once he had became the ‘Receiver of Memories’, a very high honored job of utmost respect. Before I pitch my main points, let’s talk a bit more about what ‘the community’ is like, and who exactly Jonas is. We see that this novel takes place in a futuristic time, somewhat of a golden age, and a ‘dystopia’. The Community is very sheltered and is run by a government-esque …show more content…
His job is to contain all the information and memories of the past and present, which may seem easy, but in this universe, we see that with every memory you receive, you must now experience it - the pain, the grief, the happiness, every part of it. From each memory Jonas is given from his instructor-like guide, The Giver, he learns actual emotions and how to be more humane. Before he [Jonas] learns actual emotions, we see that he learns a special ‘supernatural’ skill of ‘seeing beyond’. This ‘seeing beyond’ is the ability to see colour, meaning those in the community who do not have the ability to ‘see beyond’, are not able to see any colours besides hues of grays or blacks. But soon after Jonas discovers his ability to see colour, we learn that Jonas learns actual emotions through memories he is given. He learns grief, love, true happiness, love, sorrowness, and anger. He learns to be human. The first memory he was given was a memory of a ride on a sled, it was given to him to teach him the concept of happiness and fun. After The Giver ‘got Jonas’ feet wet’ with joyful memories, he then gave Jonas more intense memories, memories such as warfare or murder, in purpose to teach Jonas grief and pain - both physical and mental. And The Giver’s favourite memory, a memory of christmas, a memory of love. With each new memory, Jonas learns more about how to have actual emotions. How to be human. Over time Jonas realizes how everyone else in the community doesn’t have actual emotions, not yet at least. The first time he actually sees this is after he had watched the ‘release’ of a child; page one fifty-four, chapter twenty - ‘The Giver gave a rueful anguished empty laugh. Jonas, you and I are the only ones who have feelings. We’ve been sharing them for almost a year now.’ In this quote, it reveals; a.) proof of as to how only Jonas and The Giver have emotions,
M E M O R I E S
Does Jonas change over the course of this novel? Some may argue to say not, but here is my argument on how he does in fact change very much, in this novel, ‘The Giver’. For starters, we see that Jonas used to be like most everyone else in ‘the community’; emotionless and very much sheltered - robots. Although all of that had changed once he had became the ‘Receiver of Memories’, a very high honored job of utmost respect. Before I pitch my main points, let’s talk a bit more about what ‘the community’ is like, and who exactly Jonas is. We see that this novel takes place in a futuristic time, somewhat of a golden age, and a ‘dystopia’. The Community is very sheltered and is run by a government-esque …show more content…
His job is to contain all the information and memories of the past and present, which may seem easy, but in this universe, we see that with every memory you receive, you must now experience it - the pain, the grief, the happiness, every part of it. From each memory Jonas is given from his instructor-like guide, The Giver, he learns actual emotions and how to be more humane. Before he [Jonas] learns actual emotions, we see that he learns a special ‘supernatural’ skill of ‘seeing beyond’. This ‘seeing beyond’ is the ability to see colour, meaning those in the community who do not have the ability to ‘see beyond’, are not able to see any colours besides hues of grays or blacks. But soon after Jonas discovers his ability to see colour, we learn that Jonas learns actual emotions through memories he is given. He learns grief, love, true happiness, love, sorrowness, and anger. He learns to be human. The first memory he was given was a memory of a ride on a sled, it was given to him to teach him the concept of happiness and fun. After The Giver ‘got Jonas’ feet wet’ with joyful memories, he then gave Jonas more intense memories, memories such as warfare or murder, in purpose to teach Jonas grief and pain - both physical and mental. And The Giver’s favourite memory, a memory of christmas, a memory of love. With each new memory, Jonas learns more about how to have actual emotions. How to be human. Over time Jonas realizes how everyone else in the community doesn’t have actual emotions, not yet at least. The first time he actually sees this is after he had watched the ‘release’ of a child; page one fifty-four, chapter twenty - ‘The Giver gave a rueful anguished empty laugh. Jonas, you and I are the only ones who have feelings. We’ve been sharing them for almost a year now.’ In this quote, it reveals; a.) proof of as to how only Jonas and The Giver have emotions,