YOUR UTOPIA, MY DYSTOPIA...

Yo bloggers! I know that I've been adding in a lot of posts. It's because I need to complete this project by THURSDAY!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH........ Thus, I have to reflect about all the things we discuss in class (related to The Giver, of course...) so I would be adding in a few more posts... You could also add in a few more comments, maybe?! Thanks a lot!!! Anyway, today I'm reflecting about the features of the Utopian society in The Giver, which we actually discussed a few weeks ago... (HEEE HEE HEE...) Enjoy!!!

Firstly, I think that Jonas's society is rigid. It's so FULL of rules and every aspect of the community has guide lines. It was even "against the rules for Pilots to fly over the community". Moreover, "the children were scolded if they used 'release' lightly in play" and everyone had to follow the "standard apology phrase" if they did something wrong, like being late for school or when they were rude to someone. What do YOU think of this? There are so many protocols that must be adhered to in almost every setting in the community, including in school (when they committed a minor offense). Can you imagine being late for school and standing in front of the whole cohort, saying, "I apologize for inconveniencing my learning community"?! Additionally, providing a reason for coming late would just make me wish I had not come to school at all! I MEAN THAT THE WHOLE SCHOOL WOULD BE PRACTICALLY LAUGHING AT OUR FACE!!! It would be the most embarrassing moment in my entire life of 14 years and 5 months... Now, I realise that getting booked is much better than being laughed at by the WHOLE school!!! :O Furthermore, "when something went to a committe for study, people always joked about it. They said that the committee members would become elders by the time the change was made." Since the committee took a seriously long time to study a rule and change it, the people just get fed up and don't voice out their suggestions any more. This suggests thatbchange is not forthcoming in this society and that it takes a long time for a change to occur, proving that it is a rigid society.

Secondly, we can see that there is a dilution of relationships in this society. "Spouses were assigned, not chosen" and there could only be "two children-one male, one female-to each family unit", who were given birth to by Birthmothers. Since the mother herself does not give birth to her children, she won't feel the close proximity of "love" towards her children. There is no personal effort on the parents part to cultivate the relationship. They are just PUT in a relationship by the Committee, and they could not deny the spouse they are matched to. How do you think you'll feel if you were told who to marry? The relationship will be so forged and not deep. You won't be able to get to know about your spouse at the beginning but only the Committee would know about how perfect all the factors correspond and interact. Would that be of any use?

Thirdly, there is no individuality among the people in the community. The  people are addressed by their jobs/Assignments. It's mentioned in the first chapter that the "busy afternoon crew of Street Cleaners, Landscape Workers and Food Delivery people" were not seen in the streets, after the voice from the speaker had ordered them to take shelter (when an unidentified aircraft had flown over the community). Since labels are used to identify them, it shows that there are no individual identities such as by using their names. They are only known by the occupations and this actually brings about the factor of difference in teh society. Though the community values Sameness, they are still addressing the people by their jobs, and each person has a different job. Thus, they bring forth differences which they don't value and honor in the community. Hence, we can conclude that even though they try to achieve Sameness, it is not possible because of such factors of using labels. I'll talk more about it in one of the next few posts, bloggers... Look forward to them!

Fourthy, the government has tight control over the people in the community. When "the rasping voice through the speakers had said 'LEAVE YOUR BICYCLES WHERE THEY ARE'", the citizens adhered to the orders promptly. The willingness and the promptness of the citizens of Jonas' society in adhering to orders show that there has been a learnt obedience of the people cultivated by the government. Nobody questions why an order was made but they just follow it blindly.

Fifthly, the society is harsh and unforgiving. When the Pilot-in-training had lost his way, "HE WILL BE [WAS] RELEASED". Though the Pilot was just in training, he was "released". There were no second chances given to the Pilot-in-training. In the strive for perfection, people who are deemed as less than perfect are meted out the worst possible punishment of being released. This is considered harsh as they need to be given chances to learn from their mistakes. Releasing, which is killing them, without giving them any chances is cruel as the small mistake of navigating the aircraft wrongly had done no harm to anyone, other than causing fear to the community. Thus, releasing him is too extreme and harsh.

Lastly, the society is ritualistic. There are certain rituals such as the "telling of feelings", "Sharing of Dreams", ceremonies of ages, and the "Release of the Old". These rituals are carried out by every household ("telling of feelings" and "Sharing of Dreams") every day, and is part of their daily routine. The Ceremony of Ages is attended by every member of the community once a year and the "Release of the Old" is attended by the Old in the Home of the Old. Since there are so many routines and rituals carried out by the whole community, we can conclude that the society is ritualistic.

These are some of the features of the "Utopian" society in The Giver. They may not apply throughout the book (of course...) but they are still part of the community and they are some of the things that set this particular community apart from other communities like ours!? If you want to voice out your opinions, do so now!!!! Don't worry! I'd be sure to check your comments and I'll "study" them and reply to them in maybe a few days?! Have a Fabulous Fiesta of Fantasy!!! Forever... Subi...

P.S. This is just a quote of the day... When you try to create something perfect, there are always dystopian elements in it... Keep this in mind and aim for the ULTIMATE BEST YOU CAN GIVE!!! :)