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The Giver By Lois Lowry: Dystopian, Or Both?

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Levi Rothschild Mrs. Blankenfeld English 7 Period 6 7 March 2023 Utopian, Dystopian, or Both? Is the society from “The Giver,” by Lois Lowry, a utopia or dystopian society? In the book, a young boy named Jonas lives in a place where they strive to be a perfect society where everything is dealt with and sameness. This may sound like a great place to live, but you should change your mind. Jonas lives in a dystopian society because everything is set by Elders, always being spied on, and sameness. One way the community is dystopian is that It is a dictatorship where everything is run by Elders because of the amount of power and control they have over the peoples lives. Adults control everything, they force birthmothers to only have three kids that are immediately taken away from them, even if they don’t want them to be taken.(pg 27) The Elders also control the population of the society in a sad way. If two twins were birthed by a birthmother, the one who …show more content…

The citizens are forced to use proper language when talking, or they will get punished by the discipline wand, in Asher's case. In Chapter 1, Jonas corrected himself after being terrified when a plane flew past the community(pg 1,2,3,4) very quickly and worryingly, fearing punishment. Freedom of speech is very important to have a happy community. Also, when Jonas attempts to run away from the community, the community sends out search planes to capture Jonas and bring him back. This happens when he was escaping, and he had to hide from them,(pg 212) he feared what would happen if he was caught, probably a severe punishment that would end up with him being released. Although virtually there is zero freedom, the citizens aren’t taught what freedom is, only Jonas and the Giver know, so the citizens obey what they are told. While government like that can provide stability, the community is still dystopian because of the lack of

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