Utopian Society

What would your life be like in a utopian society? Jonas knows what it is like.

He has lived in one for twelve years. At the age of twelve he is chosen to be

the Receiver. + Through the essay one will be aware of the memories Jonas

received, the results of the memories, and the wisdom he gained as a result of

the memories.

Memories play an important role in The Giver. For example, this is the

first memory Jonas received: ?Then he shivered. He realized that the touch of

the hands felt, suddenly cold. At the same instant, breathing in, he felt the air

change, and his very breath was cold.?(p.80) This was the memory of a sled

ride in the snow. Although this memory is happy, as the book continues he

realized memories aren?t all happy.

Results play a major role in the conclusion and what makes The Giver

end the way it does. This is when a major change in the relationship between

Jonas and the Giver takes place: ?The Giver looked away as if he could not

bear to see what he had done to Jonas. ?Forgive me,? he said.?(p.120) After

this took place Jonas started to change and to realize a lot of things. Thus,

some results are positive, but also some are negative.

Wisdom is the final topic discussed in the essay. Jonas learns a lot and

becomes wiser throughout the book. It is easy to see wisdom through his

actions that follow: ?Methodically Jonas hacked the fish in to pieces with a

sharp rock and fed the raw shreds to himself and Gabriel.?(p.173) This event

took place after Jonas took Gabriel and ran away. Because of the situation he

faced, Jonas had no choice but to rely on his wisdom.

In a utopian society one?s life wouldn?t really be his own. No one

really has a life or freedom in a utopian society. Through memories, Jonas

learned a lot. The results of the memories gave him wisdom. The wisdom

Jonas gained helped him and Gabriel survive. Of all the three topics

discussed, wisdom plays the biggest role of all.