Throughout, The Giver and Gathering Blue, Lois Lowry conveys current societal issues from different perspectives including the overruling of government, broken communities, oppressive gender roles and lack of freedom and expression. This alone helps the government in each setting spot the “stand-out”, trying to suppress him or her and his or her actions towards making changes.
Societal issues change from generation to generation and from what is currently happening in the world at that moment, but some issues have stayed the same for decades. To us, it’s not so easily noticeable because it’s part of our everyday life and our opinions for change will only go so far with our government. But, it becomes easier for readers to understand when it’s placed in a different point of view such as Lois Lowry did in her books: The Giver and Gathering Blue. The first and one of the most controversial societal issue presented throughout The Giver is the death penalty. The death penalty is known as a “government-sanctioned practice” where the person who has committed the crime is put to death by lethal fluid injection. Previous methods have included the electric chair, a guillotine, stoning, and rapid gunfire. Already known by citizens of the United States, the death penalty is a human rights violation since “we all have the right to be free from cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment” regardless of the crimes committed (citation). Although in previous years this has seemed as a way to prevent crime from occurring, times have changed and “the risk of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated. More than 150 people sent to death row in the United stated have later been exonerated, and others have been executed despite serious doubt about their guilt” (citation). To adjust to this issue, though, the United States have made it take a long time to be convicted of such a crime in a state that does allow the death penalty, to be sure the evidence is there to prove them guilty. Yet, the nation still remains divided on this issue because other Americans believe things such as “they deserved it” or even “an eye for an eye” and will not budge on compromise because it is what they feel is the correct form of punishment.
In Jonas’ society, people who are committed of the crime are killed immediately by being “released”. Lowry uses the euphemism to disguise the real meaning of being released, which allows the citizens to distance themselves further from reality. At times, it also can relieve the tension from the act of violence committed. “For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure” (Lowry, 2). But, it’s not seen as such a controversial issue in his community because the people don’t know that the person who broke the rule is even being killed. Because of the very vague title of “release”, the members of Jonas’ community are allowed to make their own assumptions on what exactly happened to the person, since the government will not tell them directly. Jonas doesn’t realize the meaning of this word until later on when he also realizes that his father had killed a newborn baby with no remorse. “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” (Lowry, 150). This is presented as such a societal issue to Jonas because no one else feels the way he does about how terrible the “releasing” of members are. There is no emotion to death in his society because they don’t understand the concept of death. They never use the word, so the members of the community, along with the readers, are unsure about what happens next. The doctors who perform the “releasing” aren’t clear either about what really happens, because the bodies are taken away before any questions are asked. The people of his community were brainwashed by the government to understand the “releasing” of someone is because of not being able to function “normally”, old age, or because it was deserved. And, if they do disagree (such as Jonas), many are scared to speak up because they might be the one getting released.
Gathering Blue faces the same societal issue in a different perspective from Kira, and her own community. Because sources are so scarce in her village, the sick and the weak are sent to the Field of the Living and left for the beasts to die. Afterwards, someone is required to watch their spirit rise from the dead body 4 days after. This issue alone hits close to home for Kira rather than Jonas since she was set up to be sent away to the Field of the Living because of her “lame” leg. This is similar to The Giver and presents the same societal issue because it’s a direct reflection of the desensitizing society, such as immediately eliminating the weakest of the group, which happened to be Kira. Though, her mother argued against the Council since she was good at threading, something she could contribute to society. “It is clear that exceptions can be made, so we may set aside the assertion that it is the way. It need not always be the way” was stated by Jamison during Kira’s trial proving that there are never exceptions to being sent to the Field of the Living (Lowry, 33). Although she was able to stay, she was still rejected from her community for being a cripple and not being the same as everyone else. Again, this “elimination” of others is seen as their norm because of the lack of communication from their government and the people. No one questions this because they don’t want to have to face the Council of Guardians and risk being punished and publicly humiliated in the village.
As Americans, we are lucky to express ourselves in any way that we want, and not be prevented in what we wear or what we do. Although this is allowed, so is judgment from society for not looking like what the “standard” person looks like. A perfect example of this in our society is tattoos. Anyone is allowed to get whatever he or she wants (unless it’s a symbol of hate), no matter if it’s all over his or her body or just something on his or her ankle. Though, tattoos are something that’s seen as unprofessional in the workplace, especially in specific occupations. “Tattoos are frowned upon in many occupations, especially the medical field. Having one could potentially keep you from getting hired” (citation). Employees need to sign a contract prior to the first day of work stating that tattoos should be hidden at all times and failure to follow this contract will result is serious consequences. Yet, most of the tattoos people get today tell a story, and have a meaning behind it whether its an inspirational quote that may have helped through a dark time or a tattoo in dedication to a loved one passing. This prevention of individual expression is a societal issue today because it gives the word “tattoo” a negative outlook and makes people look down upon the people who do have tattoos, when its nothing more than an outlook of creativity. “Tattoos can symbolize strength, hope, love and all things good. They can bring back feelings that warm the heart. They can be humbling. They can be inspiring” (citation). Preventing this creativity especially in the workplace is basically discriminating someone for their personal choices, when it doesn’t hinder their ability to complete the task at hand.
“It isn’t fair that nothing has color! If everything’s the same, then there aren’t any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things! A blue tunic, or a red one?” (Lowry 97). In Jonas’ village, the citizens cannot see color