The characters in the novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, have been introduced to a life that contains the most meaningless of feelings and the dullest hues in the color spectrum. They only know of emotions that are inspired by dreams and daily experiences, and they’re traditionally accustomed to sharing these emotions with family and peer groups. Citizens in the community are not aware of the concept of secrecy or introversion. The only people that keep to themselves and have sentiment outside of physical interaction, are the Giver and Jonas. As much as they would like to share the warmth of color, the two cannot, as it is a requirement in their training to never speak over their memory transfers. Within his own friend group, Jonas is almost like a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. He recognizes the importance of color, sound and deep feelings. Others have accepted an existence of blandness and raw emotion.
The effect that color can have on people is greatly expressed throughout this novel. Jonas is aware that life can be more than just different shades of gray; the Giver tries to give him that sort of life. Red evokes pain and love for Jonas, which greatly confuses him based on how different the two feelings are. Green provides a sense of birth and creativity through its bright shimmer. Blue calms Jonas but also sets him closer to depression. Yellow bathes him in the warmth of curiosity. And the most fascinating color to Jonas is white.
At the beginning of the Receiver’s training white represents the snow that brings him recreational joy. That first wonderful snow ride with the cool air whipping against his face and the bundles of powder being churned up underneath the sled’s runners. The memory of snowfall excites Jonas greatly. Then towards the end of the story his passion for white spirals downward into a negative connotation. White is the final color he sees before he dies with Gabriel wrapped in his arms. The pounding, freezing, buckets of snow coming down on him. He is reminded of the danger that some of the best memories can carry. During his final moments the chilling weather and blaring shards of ice overwhelm him. The bright thoughts of yellow sunshine and orange embers escape him. On the brink of death, our main character learns that color can be just as malevolent as it is magnificent. Elegance cannot fully veil malignity; Atrocity cannot cover benevolence. A pretty face can have an ugly attitude, too.
Sameness protects the citizens of the community from the dangers of color, yet it still shields them from the possibility of long-standing joy. Dreams could actually mean something if people could imagine the retro colors of the galaxy and the earthy hues of our planet. People’s expressions could change with the pigments on their face. Sound could also play a new part in the way they think on a standard basis. Music would feed them with new ideas and strange outlooks on life. The government doesn’t agree with the joys of color and music, though. They believe that it inspires rebellious mindsets and wildly inventive aspiration. Jonas knows in his mind that this is far from being correct. For nobody can change overnight, but he is willing to put forth the knowledge that will give every pigeon the feathers of a flamingo. There is nothing wrong with standing out and showing off unique talent. With a good ear for melody and a distinct eye for natural beauty, the Receiver will straighten a path for the members of the community to lead a better futureby Simon Shore, 8th grade, Lowcountry Prep School
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