Selfish and Selfless in the Giver by Lois Lowry

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Recommended: the significance of memories to a person's identity in the novel the Giver

In Lois Lowry’s novel, “The Giver”, the characters with light colored eyes all have a rare gift; they see the community in a different way. Once Jonas, the main character, becomes the newest Receiver of Memory, he is told that only he and the Giver notice those differences. Jonas, uses the memories The Giver transmits to him to discover the differences in the community and Elsewhere. He learns about past experiences that have been transmitted to him; the newest Receiver of Memory. Jonas wants to leave the community to discover the truth about Elsewhere and what is there. While Jonas’ motivating factors to leave the community are for the selfish reason to experience life, he additionally leaves for their understanding of the past and to give them the ability to love through one another’s burdens. Jonas understands the consequences of leaving the community, but wants to be able to experience colors, pain, and love; which he couldn’t have if he stayed. “If it failed, he would very likely be killed. But what did that matter? If he stayed, his life was no longer worth living” (Lowry 155). Jonas is willing to risk the unknown for the idea of finding Elsewhere for himself. He knows how much he does not fit in with the community and wants to be able to be himself, to love, and to share the memories without being chastised. “He felt, surprisingly, no fear, nor any regret at leaving the community behind” (Lowry 164). Jonas was ready for what was ahead of him; even if he didn’t know what that was. He knows that leaving the community is the best option for him and the people of the community, because they need to know about the world’s past and Jonas wants to be able to experience life to the fullest. By leaving the community, he is leavi... ... middle of paper ... ...the people in the community to understand the memories that Jonas will leave behind. On the other hand, Jonas takes courage to leave the only way to live that he knows and to go out into the unknown with only a little bit of food and having to take care of himself and Gabe. Experiences, understanding, and love through pain are what places Jonas into the categories of selfish and selfless. Lowry uses “The Giver” to give the reader a connection to make between modern society and the community. As the ending of the inspiring novel could be Jonas dying or any other type of depressing tragedy, the author’s intent could just as likely be for the reader to draw his/her own conclusion. So, as Lowry could be asking “What connection do you make with the community and modern time?” Or “What do you think happens?”, she could just as well be asking “What do you want to happen?”

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