The Final Chapter

Dear Giver,

I want to begin this letter with an apology. I know that you believe expressing one's regret and saying sorry is unnecessary and a waste of time for us. It's something I've become accustomed to, ever since our first lesson where I apologized for interrupting you, and you yourself said there wasn't any time in our busy schedule for formal apologies. Remember that? Anyway, I am apologizing for the fact that I did not appear at the Annex as you had asked. I am sorry for disobeying your rules, but I was afraid of what you would say if you realized that I planned to take baby Gabriel with me on my journey to Elsewhere. I was aware that when I didn't turn up at the Annex, you would worry; which is exactly why I am writing this letter. I just wanted you to know that I did leave the community, and have successfully reached Elsewhere. I didn't get caught and released, or backed down from this challenge. But, I'm sure you have already comprehended this, as I believe those of the community have already received my memories. They have, haven't they? Well, either way, I would like to ask you for a favor. I know that the community, my peers, and my loved ones believe I got lost in the river, as this is what we originally planned in the beginning. So I realize, that you wouldn't be able to tell anyone about this letter as I have allegedly died. But, I was wondering, if you could still deliver a message to my family. I was thinking that you could say that I wrote it before I died in the river. I know it would give the message that I died purposely, but, well I did! And as my family, I want them to know that. Plus, with new emotions, they should be able to understand my intentions and feelings. This is what I'd like to tell them:

Dear Mom, Dad, and Lily,

Before I permanently leave you behind, I would just like to say a few final words. I would like to explain the reasons behind my leaving. As you know, over the past few months, I've been training to be the new Receiver. During my ceremony, we all heard how I had been specially selected to be the next Receiver. It was explained how great the honor was, and how proud we should all be. However, unexplainable pain and suffering was also mentioned. I am not sure if you have really understood the memories or even received them yet, so what I say next might confuse you. But soon enough, you will understand, as I did. Anyway, when I first began training, I received wonderful and pleasant memories such as exciting sled rides down hills covered in thick, soft snow. Or a day out in the sunshine, surrounded by beautiful landscape of plants and flowers and wildlife. All filled with color. These memories made me want to have color and everything I'd seen in our own community. No more Sameness. But The Giver then explained that without Sameness in our community, it would cause us difficulty and disagreements, as there would be choice and people would have different opinions. I didn't see the harm in being able to have choice in what kind of clothing or toy you wanted. But I then realized that more significant choices to do with matters like marriage or jobs could really affect someone were they to make a wrong choice. So I refrained from the idea of an alter in our community. I was quite convinced that our society was perfect the way it was, but with all the good memories I'd been experiencing, I was still doubtful and skeptical. I often wondered if there was somewhere Elsewhere where life was still like the past. But my mind changed once I experienced true pain. I asked The Giver what they meant when they said I would experience unbelievable pain, since I had not undergone such suffering yet. So he gave me the memory of a sunburn. I was back in the sunshine, but stayed too long under the sun's penetrating rays, causing a sunburn. It wasn't unbearably painful, it just made me a little sore. I was rather confused as the previous description of the pain I'd undergo, did not match the pain I had felt through the sunburn at all. But in truth, I had underestimated the amount of pain I'd go through.

Although I felt reassured that the suffering I'd deal with wasn't so bad, I was still nervous. But I cast it aside, therefore not prepared for the suffering I had to face. I went through things such as Warfare and Starvation, understanding what these concepts were, and what true pain felt like. These memories were grim and depressing, and stayed implanted in my mind. From these painful experiences, I was certain that I was content with our community's ways. I was still unsure about our community's ways and still often thought about Elsewhere, but I didn't want to live in a world with such extreme pain either. However, certain experiences and newly obtained knowledge pushed me to leave our community forever. During a session with The Giver, he passed on to me his favorite memory-family and love. I was transported to a room where there were children with their parents and grandparents. Grandparents are the parents of the children's parents. Anyway, when I saw the genuine smiles on their faces and the close bonds between them, I wanted that with my family and my friends. I felt their feelings of, yes, love, and happiness; and enjoyed the warm, welcoming atmosphere. I wanted this feeling in our community. I wanted to love someone who actually loved me back. But I realized that my words and actions were meaningless in our society as I could never be with someone who felt the same way. Like when I asked you if you loved me. You laughed and reminded me of Precision of Language and how the word love is a generalized word almost so meaningless it's almost obsolete. At the time, I was thinking about how could you say love was meaningless? Because honestly, I had never felt anything more meaningful in my life.

But my point is, I've left because I wasn't content with the community. I was feeling emotions and experiencing things that nobody in our society would ever understand. After receiving such wonderful memories, the community became meaningless. Nobody would ever understand me, or my actions and feelings. A perfect example was when we were having an unexpected holiday, in which everyone took a break from work, training, and school to just relax and have fun. Remember that? Anyway, on that day, I went outside to meet and catch up with my friends. It was an exceptionally beautiful day, and everything seemed perfect. However, when I cam across Asher, Fiona, and everyone else, they were all playing a game of war. I immediately thought of the memory of warfare and once again saw the face of the young boy dying of thirst. His scratched face and bleeding body...I couldn't stand it. I firmly told my friends to stop. They were annoyed and confused. They were all saying how it was just a game and meant nothing. But they knew nothing of the past as I did. It was hard, but I felt that I couldn't be around them anymore. Though we all get along, it's very surfaced and our relationship is hollow. I may feel strong feelings of love and care, but they will never match these feelings of mine as they know nothing. I will never be with them in a meaningful way. Ever. I was isolated from my peers and felt so different and alone. I want to live in a community that is filled with meaning, color, and excitement. Where nothing is planned or controlled, giving each day a new adventure. I want to choose for myself, and have a say in my life. The community, over time, became blank and unimportant to me. With the memories I was receiving, the ones filled with happiness and contentment, I began to despise our society. I hated, and still hate the fact that we are all bound so tight by the many, many rules and regulations placed that everything is so predictable and pointless. I now realize with my new knowledge, that if you want the good memories of life, you must face the bad as well. And I am prepared, I feel, to face the challenges if I were to ever experience a life of my own. One with choice, individuality, difference, and memory. I just feel I do not belong in our community anymore. I feel that I belong somewhere else. But we all know I wouldn't make it... In any case, this is mainly the reason why I am leaving. I just don't fit in.

Just to tell you Giver, everything I just wrote to my family are not only dedicated to them. But to you as well. I know you know why I've left, but I just wanted to formally explain as well. I didn't really discuss it with you after all. And if you believe there is no possible way of delivering this message to my family without disrupting our plan, then you do not have to. But I shall thank you anyway. Not just for the message you may choose to pass on, but for everything you have taught me. It is because of you that I've seen life differently, and have decided to take charge in my life for once. Being a Receiver, I've learnt so much about times long ago, teaching me about reality, and the truth of our community and it's past. I finally see how imperfect and unrealistic our community is. I realize the truth behind all the rules and traditions, and how they are meaningless and only used to mask real life. Like about release...I see all the lies now, and have gained knowledge that I cherish and will use to the best of my ability. My eyes are open and I see everything for what it is. I am not as naive or manipulative. From all the memories I've received, I see what life really feels like, and how the past was beautiful and full of excitement. I've obtained strength and courage, and am now truly brave. I have you to thank for this. Thanks to your memories and help, I've gained the power and fearlessness to actually make my way to where I belong. I now have the knowledge and courage to find Elsewhere and finally be happy.

The journey was extremely difficult. Pedaling for more than more than 6 hours really takes it's toll on you! The weather was never really in a particular state making my journey any easier. Sometimes, it was extremely hot; the sun's piercing rays beating down on me. Other times, it was damp and cold; ground wet and slippery with rain water. It became more difficult for me as I began to run out of food and left the last of the roadside farms in which I'd depend on for food. Without the food I needed, I slowly ran out of energy. Plus, I had to be aware of the search parties flying in the air looking for me. Yes, this journey was most difficult indeed. However, with the help of your memories, Gabriel, and my determination, I made it! Gabriel really pushed me to keep going. You see, Gabriel was going to be released. After painfully finding out what that meant, I just couldn't bear to leave him behind. And since you were not coming along, I felt he would help me as he partially understands me as well. What I mean by that is, well, he can receive memories too. I haven't told you this because I was afraid you would get angry. But there is really no point in hiding it anymore, so I'll explain. One night, as I was trying to lull Gabriel back to sleep. As I was patting his back, I began to think back about the memory of the sailboat you gave me. I suddenly saw the memory getting dimmer, and the boat beginning to slow down. I realized I had given some of this memory to Gabriel. I brought him with me on this trip, as I've become very close to him and felt like it was my responsibility to care for him. We have a common tie and can relate to one another. He may be the only other one who comprehends me and my feelings. I originally wanted you to come along, but as you said, the community needs you right now. But bringing Gabriel turned out to be for the better as he urged me to go on. When we were going through the cold, swirling snow, I was freezing and felt like giving up. But as I felt Gabriel going limp and shivering against me, my concerns were no longer considering me, but Gabriel. I wanted to make it for his sake. I wanted him to survive. And so I pushed myself to make it. I used the memories to help us a little to get through the cold. Using the memory of sunshine, I warmed Gabriel and myself. It really made a difference as the memory was pleasant and gave me a sense that everything would be okay. And when we reached the top of the snowy hill, I proved myself right.

There, simply sitting at the top, was a sled. I remembered this scene from the very first memory you gave me. I quickly got on the sled, holding Gabriel close, and began down the hill. The snow was soft and thick, controlling the runners. Speeding down, hope filled me as I heard the faint sound of music and laughter. Looking out, I saw twinkling green, red, and yellow lights perched on roof tops. I thought I was just hallucinating; I mean, after all, I had been starving and worn out. But as we got farther down, the homes became clearer and I saw the familiar figures of people. I write to you know from the home of my new family, happily informing you of the success of this plan. I am finally in a place where I belong, surrounded by people who really love me. My new mother and father, had not had children yet, as something had prevented them from having their own. When we arrived in their town, they had gladly taken us in. They have apparently, always wanted children. We were greeted with new clothing, a bath, and a hot mug of hot chocolate. Which I must say is absolutely delicious! Gabriel and I are being taken well cared for. I have gotten my childhood back, and have new friends and go to school again. Gabriel is still too young of course, but is growing successfully. But Giver, though I am happy here, I still miss you greatly, and think about you often. I wish you could have some with me here-you would have loved it! Free of control and full of life and happiness. I wouldn't be here without you though. I am forever grateful, and hope you are once again reunited with you daughter. You deserve happiness after all you have done for the community. I did and still truly do feel as if we were related-grandfather and grandson. Seeing those children with their grandparents just made me want some of my own. I knew it was never possible to have genetically related ones, but then I thought of you. Our relationship is close, if not, exactly, like the one I saw between the family. We look at one another for support and love each other. Throughout the course of my training, you were the one I could look to for guidance and support during the most difficult of times. You were literally the only one who could understand what I was going through. And I thank you for always being there for me. I must go now as it is getting late and I must prepare for school. Hopefully when you receive this letter, you may write back. But even if you don't at least I know, that you know, I love you. I always will no matter what.

Jonas

Yet Another Discussion

My friends come to greet me as I walk through the door, into the extremely familiar humanities room. I place my supplies on a desk and fish out my response paper and book for Literature Circles. As usual, I come prepared to class, ready and eager to discuss the chapters we'd read in the book. And as you already know, I despise the response sheets. The one I'd recently written was almost six pages; literally. I nearly always write this much. As I mentioned before, I have the ethos of an over-achiever and make sure to excel in my academics. Anyway, no matter how much I suffer in the writing part of the Literature Circles process, I really enjoy the discussions we have in class. In the small groups we thankfully form ourselves, we talk about the section we had read, and share thoughts and ideas. Elaborating on one another's thoughts, and creating hypothesis, predictions, and reasons. The discussions and books are really the only part I look forward to throughout Literature Circles. Besides the many received A+'s of course! I don't why I am so fond of the discussions...I guess I just love to talk! I love hearing other people's opinions and hear their view of the matter. It influences how I think and really helps me develop new understandings. I'm also very keen on sharing my own judgements and outlooks; as many of my teachers frequently mention. I like having a good conversation with someone. They can sometimes open my eyes to something I've never thought about before. Making me see things differently. Usually, in our discussions, we ask one another complex questions on the book-which we prepared in advance-causing the group to really reflect and debate. This reminds me; I better be getting on to the assigned questions I need to answer...

1. When Jonas learns all about colors, he claims "it isn't fair that nothing has color". Why does he say this?

2. Why does Jonas find the instruction about lying so disturbing?
3. Why does The Giver say that making choices would be frightening for people?

Well, out of the three questions, I know I am definitely not doing number one. I'm not trying to brag, or make others who find it difficult sound stupid; but, I find it too easy. At least personally, it isn't too much of a challenge. And in my opinion, I can't write much about it either.... Anyway, between the two left, I am torn. I've got so many ideas and thoughts for each one and could write so much! But I guess I'll just stick with question three. However, I may branch out a tiny bit, and tie it in a little with question two. I somehow see a connection between the two questions, and feel they can be tied together. But, as the assignment was given, I'll mostly focus on one question. (Which is, I'll repeat for those of you not paying attention, the third.) At least, I'll try. Here it goes!

Well as you should already know, Jonas' community is totally controlled. There are no real opportunities in their society to have an individual opinion or make your own decision. Everyone thinks alike and just goes with whatever the Committee places. People just automatically follow the rules and regulations given as if they were programmed robots. (But honestly, the people of the community aren't much different to robots. No one has a mind of their own, or control over their own actions.) There isn't any individuality in this society, and nobody has a voice. No one truly has a choice in what they want for themselves or others. "But now I can see colors, at least sometimes, I was just thinking; what if we hold up things that were bright red, or bright yellow, and he could choose? Instead of Sameness." "He might make the wrong choices." "Oh." Jonas was silent for a minute. "Oh, I see what you mean. It wouldn't matter for a newchild's toy. But later it does matter, doesn't it? We don't dare to let people make choices of their own." "Not safe?" The Giver suggested. "Definitely not safe," Jonas said with certainty." This quote takes place when Jonas and the Giver were discussing the right of choice in the community. Jonas is arguing how he would like to have the freedom of choice and gives the example of how he would like to hold up something red and something yellow and let the baby his father is nurturing decide which he would like. The Giver then makes Jonas realize that although the choice of a toy isn't important, larger matters like your choice of job and whom you marry is significant and it wouldn't be safe or ensured that you would make the right choices. I believe the reason why the Giver believes it would be frightening for people in the community to make choices is because they are not used to deciding things on their own, and are very naive to the consequences of a bad choice. They do not know the difference between right and wrong and could therefore make mistakes. And in our community, we understand that mistakes do happen and cannot be avoided. We also know how to deal with bad situations, and learn how to manage. But in Jonas' society, mistakes almost never occur and are not normal. Whenever they do come about, the community is very unsure of what to do, and becomes very panicked. One wrong choice can disrupt the entire community. For instance, jobs. The jobs in the community are what really helps the community function properly. If they jobs are not done, the community cannot thrive and continue it's existence. The jobs keep the people and environment secure and in tact. This is why the receiving of assignments is taken very seriously and the elders are extremely careful with which job is given to which person. Each job is dependent on one another. They are all somehow connected. If people choose their own jobs, some could make the wrong decisions and do poorly putting the community at risk.

This is only one reason why choices may be so frightening for people. Another reason is because choice could destroy the community's Sameness. The point of Sameness is to ensure there is no individuality in the society avoiding any disagreements or arguments. This makes sure people will also follow all rules and laws, avoiding rebellion and protests. Making everyone's lives easier as they don't have to deal with such problems. With choice, people will have different opinions and thoughts, which could lead to quarrels and fights. Possibly resulting in things like war and murder. With Sameness in the community, pain and suffering is prevented from occurring. So another reason why choices may be frightening for those of the community is because their choices may cause actual suffering and pain. The last reason why I believe choice may be frightening for people is because choice could lead people to go against ruling and laws. As I said before, without choice, Sameness is fostered in the society, ensuring that people will willingly obey the rules placed. But if there were choices in the community some could choose to go against the regulations. For instance, the rule of lying. In Jonas's community, you may not lie. Even the smallest mistakes in language could be considered lying. For example, there was a time when Jonas said he was starving. An adult talked to Jonas privately, chastising him for lying. He wasn't starving, but hungry. Precision of language is extremely important in the community and lying isn't tolerated. There are many, many rules in this community, and if people had the right of choice, some may break these rules and rebel. These are the reasons why the Giver thinks choice my be frightening for those of the community.

Literature Circes Returns With The Giver

I arrive in the thankfully cool Humanities room; red faced and tired from my previous P.E class. Plopping down in a chair, I place my books and pencil case on the desk alongside my friend's. I've been anticipating the long awaited return of Literature Circles and am, to be honest, disappointed it's here. Although I do very much enjoy our new book 'The Giver', I absolutely despise having to work through response sheets. True, they aren't too difficult, but they do require a lot of deep thinking and effort; which I always provide. Being the over-achiever I am, I cannot afford to be passive with my work and simply miss an opportunity to receive an A+. I'm very much, as my teachers say, a stress-bot. I absolutely have to excel and do my best. It's just the way I am. But due to this ethos of mine, the response sheets I produce take me forever to complete at home, consuming my time. This is why I do not look forward to Literature Circles. On the other hand, I love the book we are reading! It's called, as I've already mentioned, The Giver. It is written by Lois Lowry, whom I believe has an extraordinary imagination. 'The Giver' revolves around a 12 year old boy named Jonas, and his community. In his society, there is no such thing as pain and suffering, or true happiness and love. The community is controlled and everyone is basically the same; in their thoughts, beliefs, values, and appearance. The book takes a twist when Jonas is informed that he will be the new Receiver of Memories. The Receiver of Memories is the only one who obtains the memories of those in the community. The Receiver will learn and see what pain and suffering the World really goes through, and what true love and happiness feels like. He will discover the wonders and sorrows of life, giving it a whole new meaning. I do realize this description of the book is very vague and brief but it will make more sense when I finally answer the question I should be getting to which is: How do you feel about the "standard practices" or "rituals" in the community?

So as you already know, Jonas's community is totally controlled. Everyone is the same and like-minded and there is no opportunity for free-thinking or space for individuality. In this community, they have several rituals and standard practices. Meaning, they have certain ceremonies, traditions, and customs throughout the community that everyone follows. They have many rules that they must strictly follow, to make sure their "perfect" society stays in tact. There are several rules that everyone follows in correlation to the family units. A family unit is basically what are known in their community, as families. "Two children-one male, one female-to each family unit. It was written very clearly in the rules." This quote from the book expresses one rule to do with the family unit. In every family, there can only be one male and one female in each family-no more, no less. And, as it states in the book, to receive a child, the parents must fill out an application form and wait for it to be approved. "We knew, of course, that we'd receive our female, because we'd made our application and been approved." In this community, the children are not genetically related to their parents. There are women known as Birthmothers in the society, whose jobs are to produce children. Those children are then given to couples in need of them. Parents are given their children through a ceremony known as The Naming. This is the first ceremony of the twelve and starts off the celebration. During this ceremony, children are given to their assigned parents and are presented with a name. In addition to all this, the parents didn't even choose each other for marriage. They don't marry out of love or choice; it is always arranged. "The Matching of Spouses was given such weighty consideration that sometimes an adult who applied to receive a spouse waited months or even years before a match was approved and announced." This means, adults apply for marriage, and the Committee of Elders take the time to find the perfect match for that person. The Elders take into consideration all factors, such as; disposition, energy levels, intelligence, and interests. I feel the standard practices and traditions of the family unit prove the community not to be that perfect. As the community may appear to be ideal, this is clouded with the facts of how families are created. We see that the community's rules and regulations, though helpful in keeping the society safe and secure, control what we believe should be unforced, special, and intimate; like family, love, and marriage.

Really, most feelings are to be kept under control. "That's all," she replied, returning the bottle to the cupboard. "But you mustn't forget. I'll remind you for the first few weeks, but then you must do it on your own. If you forget, the Stirrings will come back. The dreams of Stirrings will come back. Sometimes the dosage must be adjusted." In Jonas's society, around the age of twelve, the children go through, well, adolescence, and experience something called a Stirring. Stirrings are when a child develops sexual urges toward the opposite gender. It is more frequent amongst boys. The Stirrings begin with a dream in which they think of the opposite sex in that particular way. In Jonas's community, it is a "tradition" to tell their dreams to their family every morning. When the parents realize their child has had their first Stirring, they explain that they must control this feeling by making sure to take a specific pill every morning. I believe this practice is interdependent with those of the family unit. The Stirrings are aimed to be controlled because if they aren't, it will cause difficulty in The Matching of Spouses, as some may develop intimate relationships with others whom they aren't able to marry. This practice and rule ensures that The Matching of Spouses can go on without any distractions or problems, and that the community can remain intact. This is only one of the many feelings the law aims to control. The rules are especially targeted at one's feelings, because emotion plays a very big part in people's choices. The rules make sure that emotion don't get in the way of people's jobs and duties in the community, ensuring that it will stay secure and in tact. There are also many ceremonies and celebrations used to maintain the community.

"There were only two occasions of release which were not punishments. Release of the elderly, which was a time of celebration for a life well and fully lived; and the release of a newchild, which always brought a sense of what-could-we-have-done." In Jonas's community, there is something known as release. Release can either be something positive or negative; it depends on the situation. It is sometimes used as punishment, like when someone has broken a great rule several times; but it can also be used as celebration like, as you know, releasing the elderly. Usually, release is a good thing. However, nobody really knows what happens when you are released. All they know is you walk through a door and are never seen in the community again. In my opinion, release is the equivalent of death. I think when you walk through the door you are killed somehow. The ritual of release, I think, is only used to mask what should be feared in the community. In this instance, death is disguised with a celebratory release. In fact, a lot of ceremonies and celebrations in Jonas's community are either used to mask the sad truth; or to represent something. "The little girl nodded and looked down at herself, at the jacket with it's row of large buttons that designated her as a Seven. Fours, Fives, and Sixes all wore jackets that fastened down the back so that they would have to help each other dress and would learn interdependence." Every time a group of children progress to the next year of age, they have a ceremony to acknowledge this, and they receive something to express their year of age. For instance, when children become nine, they get their first bike, or when children become twelve, they are given their job assignment in which they will work for the rest of their lives. The quote is referring to a girl that is now seven and received her first jacket with buttons down the front. In her earlier years, she, and those in her age group, had buttons down the back to teach them interdependence. The buttons down the front represent how they have grown to learn this and have developed. I feel this ritual of receiving items to show your age and represent your growth, tells us how in Jonas's community, everything is seemingly done for a reason and has a purpose. Nothing is really ever done for no reason. There must be something significant about it before it is done. That's simply how this community works. In my opinion, the standard practices and rituals in Jonas's community, when deeply looked into, show us how imperfect their community really is. The traditions and customs prove that though the community seems to be a Utopian society, there is more to it than what it appears. I feel the standard practices and rituals aren't as meaningful and deep as they seem to be, and are there to just simply control the society to being "perfect". Some of these practices and rituals actually just mask and hide the community's flaws and it's reality. Which is, that their society is far from perfect.