BC Journal 4
In the book, rules and numbers play overreaches community. Close everyone except a few people must adhere to. Failure to comply with these rules has every member of the community under stress and tension. Rules in the community of the story have to be adhered to precisely, or there will be consequences. The importance of rules is signified from the beginning of the story; Jonas is frightened when an airplane flies over the community (Lowry, 1) since the rules strictly forbids this. Even in a classroom setting, when Asher uses a word in the wrong context, the teacher rectifies him immediately (Lowry, 3) since it is against the rules. The character Luke rebels against the rules that the government has imposed on the citizens. I tend to agree with Luke because since the rules set in this community leave no room for mistakes, even the slightest mistake seem to have unwarranted consequences. In his lawsuit against the government, I predict that the government will win. Since the government has set rules to every facet of life in this community, it is likely that they will concoct a way in which Luke will lose.
BC Journal 5
Jonas is the main character in the book; as such his relationships are fundamental to the plot of the story. The first relationship is between him and the Giver. This relationship is like that of a father and a son. He also has other relationships with his siblings who include Rosemary and Gabriel and Lilly. The relationship between Jonas and those around him is not normal in the real world context. He is in a closed relationship with his siblings since the community rules prohibit such relationships. On the other hand, the relationship with the giver is a more open one since they both have feelings unlike everyone else in the society. Going forward, Jonas will likely die after escaping from the community. For example, he is tortured by hunger after he leaves the community (Lowry, 176). Since the community is so strict to live in and being excommunicated is going to a place that is even worse than the already bad community, it is likely that the only place that the character is likely to find peace and be reunited with his memory is in death.
BC Journal 6
My thoughts on the book concern the consequences that one is likely to suffer after breaking the rules. In my opinion, the rules are too severe to befit the crime. What is most likely to happen is memory coming back to the people in the community after Jonas has escaped the community with all the memories that the giver has passed to him.
Book Club Questions
- What are the consequences of breaking rules in the community?
- Given the state of the community without the burden of a memory, is the community a utopia or a dystopia?
- What s likely to happen to the people after Jonas has escaped from the community?
BC Journal 7
Receiving memories will enlighten Jonas. After receiving memories, Jonas will be the most informed person in the community. Thus, he will be able to see what is happening in the community and the ignorance of the people. After the escape of Jonas, memories will be restored to the people, and the Giver will help them acclimate to the situation.
BC Journal 8
The age when a boy becomes a man in the story is too young in the real world situation. Jonas becomes a man capable of receiving memories at the age of 12 (Lowry, 54); by any standards this is too young for such a herculean task. The committee over reaches in it mandate by denying everyone the right to privacy. Even if there is a shred of reason behind their actions, denying freedom to everyone in the community is too high a price to pay to avoid the conflict that comes with memories.
BC Journal 9
The war scenes were horrific and painful for young Jonas to bear. By telling the Jonas to take some of the pain, the giver meant that Jonas would have to take the pain and discomfort that came with carrying all the memories that the community had. This is not fair for anyone to carry let alone a 12 year old boy. In our community boys of 12 years is busy playing and getting their bearing about education.
Works Cited
Lowry, Lois. The giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Print.
