Knowledge and Wisdom in The Giver by Lois Lowry (Free Essay Example)

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a distorted science fiction novel about a boy named Jonas. He lives in a corrupt world and a warped reality. When he turns twelve, he receives a great "honor". But soon he figures out shocking truths that can change his life. The events within the story help us understand that knowledge and wisdom are not worth giving up to live an easy life. 

Without knowledge and wisdom, you wouldn't know what you're doing. Everything would happen and you won't be able to feel or control anything. Louis Lowry writes, “He killed it! My father killed it! Jonas said to himself, stunned at what he was realizing. He continued to stare at the screen numbly. His father tidied the room. Then he picked up a small cartoon that lay waiting on the floor, set it on the bed, and lifted the limp body into it. He placed the lid on tightly.”. Jonas's father just killed a newborn baby. His father does not know what he's doing, and he has no control over it. I would love to know what I’m doing throughout a hard life. I would undoubtedly not give up this, to live an easy life. Without knowledge and wisdom, one would be in a constant loop. Louis Lowry jots. “ ‘The decision was made long before my time or yours,’ The Giver said, ‘and before the previous receiver and-’ He waited. ‘Back and back and back’ Jonas repeated the familiar phrase. Sometimes it had seemed humorous to him. Sometimes it seemed meaningful and important. Now it was ominous. It meant, he knows, that nothing could be changed.”.. Jonas learns that there were many generations of givers before him. Instinctively he wants to give the memories back to the people of his community. But nothing can ever make this happen. Jonas most likely wasn’t the only receiver (at the time) to say this. Any sane person would have the same response to what Jonas heard. So, Jonas and past Givers are stuck in a constant loop of events. I rather have a life where every day has a new event. Instead of it in a constant loop like Jonas's.

When living without knowledge and wisdom, you will not have any emotions. According to Louis Lowry, “ ‘Do you love me?’ there was an awkward silence for a moment. Then his father gave a little chuckle. “Jonas. You of all people. The precision of language, please!’ ‘What do you mean?’ Jonas asked. Amusement was not at all what he had anticipated. ‘ Your father means that you used a very generalized word, so meaningless that it becomes almost obsolete,’...”. Jonas asked his parents if they love him, and his answer was not what he expected. They responded, saying that the word “love” is meaningless. They don't love him. It's sick to think of what type of parent doesnt love their child. As you can see, emotions arent worth giving up for an easy life.

You shouldn't give up knowledge and wisdom just for an easy life. To give up knowledge and wisdom is to give up control, your emotions, and your own life. There are more sinister consequences than killing a baby, living in a loop, and not being loved. The Giver should be looked at as a cautionary tale, and we should be grateful for the knowledge and wisdom we have. We have the power to choose what to do it with. Jonas and his community never had that. That's what we really should be grateful for.