In The Giver, it is very apparent that everyone breaks the rule about not learning to ride a bicycle until the age of nine. Also resisting the power structures, Jonas shows how important his individuality and independence is to him when “… for the first time, [he] did not take his pill. Something within him, something that had grown there through the memories, told him to throw the pill away” (Lowry 129). In addition, both of Jonas’ parents demonstrate resistance to the patriarchal values that circulate their community. Jonas’ mother, who has the position of judge, expresses her frustration at having to punish a repeat offender. She chafes against the strict rules that dictate release for anyone who commits a third offense. Jonas’ father disobeys the rules when he brings Gabriel home. He felt sadness toward the baby, so even though according to society the baby should have been released because he is underweight and fussy, his father took him home for further nourishment. Also, the Giver’s very own daughter who was assigned to be the new Receiver of Memory decided that killing herself was a better option than going through the pain of receiving all memories. It is Jonas however, who displays the most subversive acts of resistance. After training for a long period of time, he grows in awareness and develops a strong sense of individuality. At first, he begins to see colours, and then begins to resent the fact that the ability to detect colours has been eradicated from his community. Jonas comes to embrace the idea of choice and then chafes at the notion of an assigned role. Critic Don Latham states that Jonas “… refuses to accept passively his role or society’s rules. He displays a strong sense of individuality as well as courage and compassion in trying to remove himself and Gabriel from this world” (13). He escapes into a freezing climate; avoiding search
In The Giver, it is very apparent that everyone breaks the rule about not learning to ride a bicycle until the age of nine. Also resisting the power structures, Jonas shows how important his individuality and independence is to him when “… for the first time, [he] did not take his pill. Something within him, something that had grown there through the memories, told him to throw the pill away” (Lowry 129). In addition, both of Jonas’ parents demonstrate resistance to the patriarchal values that circulate their community. Jonas’ mother, who has the position of judge, expresses her frustration at having to punish a repeat offender. She chafes against the strict rules that dictate release for anyone who commits a third offense. Jonas’ father disobeys the rules when he brings Gabriel home. He felt sadness toward the baby, so even though according to society the baby should have been released because he is underweight and fussy, his father took him home for further nourishment. Also, the Giver’s very own daughter who was assigned to be the new Receiver of Memory decided that killing herself was a better option than going through the pain of receiving all memories. It is Jonas however, who displays the most subversive acts of resistance. After training for a long period of time, he grows in awareness and develops a strong sense of individuality. At first, he begins to see colours, and then begins to resent the fact that the ability to detect colours has been eradicated from his community. Jonas comes to embrace the idea of choice and then chafes at the notion of an assigned role. Critic Don Latham states that Jonas “… refuses to accept passively his role or society’s rules. He displays a strong sense of individuality as well as courage and compassion in trying to remove himself and Gabriel from this world” (13). He escapes into a freezing climate; avoiding search