Balancing HappinessChaleise J. EverlyHonors 201 K

The Giver—A Summary• Main Character: Jonas, the Giver

Story: During the “Ceremony of 12” the Council of Elders singles Jonas out from the others and gives him the job assignment of “The receiver of memory”

It is Jonas burden to receive all of the memories of the past. He must experience pain, pleasure, love, and colors. It is his job to endure these memories and pain so that everyone else can live perfect lives.

“The Giver”“They have never known pain.” The Giver. Pg. 110

It is the Giver’s job to receive all the memories of the past. The giver must know pleasure, pain, and love. The Giver alone must carry this burden so that everyone else can be happy and live out their lives in blissful peace.

The Giver lives a life separate from others. The Giver must not tell others about what his/her memories are. He/She alone must face the knowledge and pain.

When the Council is facing a major decision, the Giver will be called on for light advice.

Jona’s list of Rules1. Go immediately at the end of school hours each day to the

Annex entrance behind the House of the Old and present yourself to the attendant.

2. Go immediately to your dwelling at the conclusion of Training Hours each day.

3. From this moment you are exempted from rules governing rudeness. You may ask any question of any citizen and you will receive answers.

4. Do not discuss your training with any other member of the community, including parents or elders.

5. From the moment you are prohibited from dream-telling.6. Except for illness or injury unrelated to your training, do not

apply for any medications.7. You are not permitted to apply for release.8. You may lie.

Your Thoughts on Such a Society?

• Would it be good? Why?

• How would we choose?

• Is the misery and pain of one worth the happiness of many?

Choosing the “Giver”

“There are very rarely disappointments, Jonas.” Pg. 16

The previous Giver, Rosemary, was a “failure.”

Why was Jona’s chosen?• Seeing beyond• Pale colored eyes• Intelligent• Different• Deep thinker

If this was the case in our society

• NO WORRIES…right?• Most of you (probably all) would be happy• You would not feel true pain.• You would have no worries.• You would not know of war.• Your life would be simple.• Your life would be easily planned out for you.

Graphs…because I like numbers…and graphs

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Classroom Happiness

Happiness of a small classroom

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And because I like them, even more graphs

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Happiness of ISU Students

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Happiness of ISU Students

….and yes MORE graphs

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Family Happiness

Comparing Family Hap-piness

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Glimpses of this in Today’s society

• Laws• Instances in history- World War II- Terrorist attacks of 911• We all personally work towards our own happiness-Personal story

Noble Lad

Just because times are BAD doesn’t mean we are all DOOMED

Glimpses of this in Today’s society

• Many philosophers have hinted at this “idea”-Hobbes -Mills

Hobbes

Mills

Thomas Hobbes

Leviathan

“The first branch of which rule, containeth the first and fundamental law of nature; which is seek peace

and follow it.”

“Whensoeever, a man transferreth his right, or renounceth it; it is either in consideration of some

right reciprocally transferred to himself; or for some other good he hopeth for thereby.”

Weakness• No love.• No colors.• No true concept of family• No music• No excitement or true joy• No “family”• No “choice”• No progress• No change• No passion• You essentially live a lie

“The life without color pain or

past”

“Listen to me Jonas. They can’t

help it. They know nothing.”

The Dangers of “Leaking”

Hint Hint: Rosemary!!

If your giver dies or flees before his/her memories are passed on, society must face the memories…ALL OF THEM.-Society would be completely unprepared-If you had no Giver, they would have no idea how to cope

Final Thoughts

“Jonas did not want to go back. He didn’t want the memories, didn’t want the honors, didn’t want the

wisdom, didn’t want the honor, didn’t want the pain. He wanted his childhood again….ordinary lives

free of anguish because he had been selected, as others before him had, to bear their burden.”

“But the choice was not his.”

“During his twelve years in the community, he had never felt such simple moments of exquisite

happiness.”

Thank you to my Sources

• http://www.indstate.edu/news/news.php?newsid=2402

• MY EPIC MIND• The people who influence MY EPIC MIND• Markie, Peter, and Cahn M. Steven. Ethics: History,

Theory, and Contemporary Issues. • Lowry, Louis. The Giver.• Reality• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill