A PERFECT SOCIETY

 

In the book The Giver, the society does not see differences. Difference are not to be pointed out. The government forbids talking and discussing differences to avoid many problems and issues that the world suffers from now-days. For example if differences where discussed in this society there would be many internal conflicts within the community. Because of the acknowledgement of differences many people would feel either superior or inferior from the rest, this is when conflict start to develop. Although in the ceremonies of December the differences are supposed to be celebrated, this is when the twelves' receive their new assignment, which is their job for their entire life.

“But today we honor your differences. They have determined your futures.”  In this community everything meticulously planned, the elders watch and observe the children since birth to see how they behave and react to different problems. Based on this observations, your job is chosen. Jonas gets chosen as the Receiver, which is a very honorable position chosen by the elders. The Chief Elder mentions that the choice to pick Jonas as the receiver has been based on four values:  Integrity, Courage Intelligence and Wisdom.

“Jonas, the training required of you involves pain.” Jonas’s assignment is said to include physical pain and suffering, something that no one else in the community has ever experienced before. At the end of the Chief Elders speech, she says to Jonas, thank you for your childhood, as if Jonas has now given away his childhood, has if he was owned by the Chief Elder.

In this community, everything is planned with precision and accuracy. The citizen of this society know no pain, they cannot make choices. They do not make mistakes, therefore they know no pain nor fear. This is why the government chooses your job and your future.