Hi all! It’s Ariadne here. Today’s topic is about an issue I would like to discuss that is shown in the marvellous novel, The Giver written by Lois Lowry.
Here’s a little summary reminder of the story, if you haven’t read it yet I suggest you should before coming back and reading this! :)
And of course, SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Perfectly Imperfect
I would also like to address that the story has a very deep, touching meaning behind it. It shows how being ‘perfect’ may not always be perfect.
The earth and universe may throw things at us that may be unexpected and we don’t know what to do or maybe we make the wrong decisions. We are not faultless but that’s what makes life full of adventure, full of surprises. In the story, Jonas discovers that there used to be war, conflict, injustice but they had gotten rid of all that. But alongside getting rid of the bad things, they got rid of the good things like music, colour, dancing, different families, traditions, culture and much more. The story shows that just how much bad happens in the world, everything happens for a reason and we can always make a change because we have the choice and freedom.
Just like after the Christchurch terrorist attack, New Zealand came together to comfort one another, even others from around the world got together to send their prayers to us.
This is because, without war, we wouldn’t know peace and harmony. Without tragedy, we wouldn’t know miracles, without hate, we wouldn’t know love.
Without darkness, there is no light.
Sometimes we take life for granted because it’s harsh and brutal but this book opens up and shows us how life would be without all these things. It reflects how our choices have meaning and that the universe is how it is for a reason. It makes us realise that maybe a ‘perfect’ world isn’t so perfect. Now, this problem in society is big, everyone and everything is expected to be flawless and if people don't reach others' expectations, they are made fun of, ignored, pitied, bullied etc. but why? Why are these expectations set? Why must we all be perfect and the same? We should embrace our differences, our talents, our beauty, our intelligence, our bodies and everything. We must love ourselves and each other and our world the way things are because we were all made perfect in the eyes of God.