The Giver Central Theme

In the novel The Goner, by Lois Lowry, the central theme is being blinded by obliviousness. It is very vital and prominent throughout the story.

A good example for this is located on page 48, Jonas, the main character is talking to Asher about requesting for release and had asked Asher, “have you ever once known of anyone – I mean anyone – I mean really known for sure, Asher, not just heard a story about it – who joined another community?” Of course, Asher said no, but he included that did state in the rule book that you could join another community if you wanted to.

Thus, when Jonas was chosen to be the Receiver he asked The Giver what happens when you’re released, normally it was met with silence or a change in the subject which only intrigued Jonas’s curiosity more. …show more content…
On the page, 150 Jonas realizes just how evil release is. In summary of what happened, Jonas’s father gave a shot to the newborn twin who was selected to be released, Jonas thought that this was a normal shot given to all newborns. That was when he realized the newborn was dead. Before, he was told release was being let into another community. He was oblivious to death before he was given the memories by the Giver. This brings up the importance of memories. Jonas’s father didn’t understand the harm in what he was doing because he didn’t have the memories of pain or death. Jonas did. Jonas was not blind to the pain anymore. He wanted them to know what they were doing and to stop it which lead to him escaping the community with Gabriel, another newborn who was set to be released. When the community would find out and open their eyes they’d feel guilty and slowly tear themselves apart, so the giver stayed to help them get through the