Three Words In The Giver
Within “The Giver”, there is a world designed to be and function flawlessly. Life is supposed to run smoothly, such as assigned jobs based on skill and even far as having no suffering or pain. Following this design, there are certain words used by the society that justify regulations and ultimately effects on the people. Three words used by the people are “Elsewhere,” Stirrings”, and “Comfort Objects”.
When read, words may sound misplaced but they are created with purpose and make sense. People will travel to Elsewhere after being released, which means after death. A person may be released if they have committed three crimes, if they have reached an age where they can no longer participate in tasks or if born a twin, the one that is smaller will go. No one really knows where it is or what exactly. In their eyes, it is like being dismissed from …show more content…
the community and being apart of somewhere else.
In addition to conditioning their world to be perfect and without conflict, the government has worked on eliminating any emotions of desire.
This means no fantasies, attractions, or any sexual notions. These feelings are known as “Stirrings”, and usually begin at puberty around the ages of eleven and twelve. Jonas first experiences this when he has a specific dream about a classmate and when he tells it at the table to his family, his mother privately introduces him to pills he must take. After someone experiences their first “Stirrings”, they must make habit of taking a pill every single day to suppress them. He knows this as his parents take the treatment and others do too.
“Comfort Objects” are stuffed animals, given as baby at the Nurturing Center as a therapeutic device. They help soothe the kids, such as for bedtime. Although they are real creatures, they are known as imaginary because they have never been seen in real life. For example, Lily has a little stuffed elephant and Jonas had a bear. However when reaching eight years of age, they are no longer allowed to have them and are passed on to the next that needs
it.
In conclusion, the words can stand alone with their true definition. “Elsewhere” pretty much means another place. “Stirrings” comes from meaning blending or a change. With “Comfort Objects”, we tend to wonder of a thing that has the ability to bring serenity and peace. These words have a connotation understood by this society. This language is a way of being controlled and has people seeming too unreal. The sameness that exists keeps people using a concentrated vocabulary, Jonas discovers this through his position. Louis Lowry’s use of euphemisms can teach children different meanings to words, while still retaining their originality. If there is a word that doesn’t sound too great but still must be expressed, there is a more pleasant and agreeable way of using it. One example could be “fart”. Some people might find it uncomfortable or even impolite for a child to say aloud, let alone do it...even though it is a completely normal thing and something that happens. “Toot” may be more acceptable, but everyone still can understanding what it means. Another example would be when explaining a pet has died. It does not sound too nice. However to still be truthful and say it, one may use “passed away”. It remains direct and clear, there is just a different way of presenting it. I believe it is a cool and brilliant way of innovating words and expanding the use of language. It offers the fact that it is okay to ask questions as well, to not be afraid of understand and wanting to learn. She shows the importance of language and how valuable it is when wanting to get messages across. She also demonstrates the role this language plays in the story and how it can relate to real life.
When read, words may sound misplaced but they are created with purpose and make sense. People will travel to Elsewhere after being released, which means after death. A person may be released if they have committed three crimes, if they have reached an age where they can no longer participate in tasks or if born a twin, the one that is smaller will go. No one really knows where it is or what exactly. In their eyes, it is like being dismissed from …show more content…
the community and being apart of somewhere else.
In addition to conditioning their world to be perfect and without conflict, the government has worked on eliminating any emotions of desire.
This means no fantasies, attractions, or any sexual notions. These feelings are known as “Stirrings”, and usually begin at puberty around the ages of eleven and twelve. Jonas first experiences this when he has a specific dream about a classmate and when he tells it at the table to his family, his mother privately introduces him to pills he must take. After someone experiences their first “Stirrings”, they must make habit of taking a pill every single day to suppress them. He knows this as his parents take the treatment and others do too.
“Comfort Objects” are stuffed animals, given as baby at the Nurturing Center as a therapeutic device. They help soothe the kids, such as for bedtime. Although they are real creatures, they are known as imaginary because they have never been seen in real life. For example, Lily has a little stuffed elephant and Jonas had a bear. However when reaching eight years of age, they are no longer allowed to have them and are passed on to the next that needs
it.
In conclusion, the words can stand alone with their true definition. “Elsewhere” pretty much means another place. “Stirrings” comes from meaning blending or a change. With “Comfort Objects”, we tend to wonder of a thing that has the ability to bring serenity and peace. These words have a connotation understood by this society. This language is a way of being controlled and has people seeming too unreal. The sameness that exists keeps people using a concentrated vocabulary, Jonas discovers this through his position. Louis Lowry’s use of euphemisms can teach children different meanings to words, while still retaining their originality. If there is a word that doesn’t sound too great but still must be expressed, there is a more pleasant and agreeable way of using it. One example could be “fart”. Some people might find it uncomfortable or even impolite for a child to say aloud, let alone do it...even though it is a completely normal thing and something that happens. “Toot” may be more acceptable, but everyone still can understanding what it means. Another example would be when explaining a pet has died. It does not sound too nice. However to still be truthful and say it, one may use “passed away”. It remains direct and clear, there is just a different way of presenting it. I believe it is a cool and brilliant way of innovating words and expanding the use of language. It offers the fact that it is okay to ask questions as well, to not be afraid of understand and wanting to learn. She shows the importance of language and how valuable it is when wanting to get messages across. She also demonstrates the role this language plays in the story and how it can relate to real life.