A theme is the main idea, a main message, or subject for discussion. Generally novels have many different themes or motifs that can be discussed. One way to find a theme is by recognizing the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. For example, Jonas is the protagonist and his main struggle is against the condition of Sameness that his community lives under. First, he has to discover what Sameness is and means, though. In the...
A theme is the main idea, a main message, or subject for discussion. Generally novels have many different themes or motifs that can be discussed. One way to find a theme is by recognizing the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces. For example, Jonas is the protagonist and his main struggle is against the condition of Sameness that his community lives under. First, he has to discover what Sameness is and means, though. In the beginning, he doesn't know how Sameness impacts his life and the lives of his friends and family. Then, once he does understand the sacrifices that are made in order to live under Sameness, he must make the choice to accept or reject it. How Jonas handles the information and memories he receives determines the theme and the message that the author wants to send to readers. One comment Jonas makes brings up an important theme surrounding freedom to choose:
"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?" (97).
Freedom to make one's own daily choices is important to everyone. This fundamental human desire is thematic because it applies to everyone and the human condition.
Another event that shakes Jonas up is when he sees his father kill a newborn twin simply because he weighs less than his brother. This begs the question if it is morally right to kill an innocent child simply to control the population. Who should choose who lives and dies? The freedom to choose life is taken away from this helpless baby and Jonas is faced with whether or not he supports this practice.
Finally, choices are taken away from the community on a daily basis, but they don't even know it. For example, colors, sunlight, and love are never even presented to the community for them to choose or to reject. As a result, those choices are made for them and they remain in ignorance never knowing what choices they could have had. Therefore, one major theme in The Giver is choice or the freedom to choose because the ability and opportunity to choose are all taken away from people without their knowledge or consent. As a result, Jonas chooses to reject Sameness.
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