Memory in The Giver

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The Giver was an interesting novel and brought about really different societal views and exemplified the importance of memory. Memory is so important that, even though they’re not allowed in the society, they’re kept to ensure the smooth flow of life. Memories are things that both bring us happiness and pain. It makes time relevant and, in our time period, can be captured and preserved outside of your head. But, what about those with no camera and memory-loss? If you have no memory of pain, it’s almost like you never experienced it. I remember the pain I felt when I wrecked my car, both physically and emotionally. Therefore, I drive much more carefully.
      Memory reminds you of past failures and helps you shape future decisions. Without any of this, what are we? The theme of memory in The Giver is so significant and gives this story a backbone. In the Giver, the community has eliminated all forms of pain and memory falls into that category. However, memory is so important that it is kept by The Giver and Receiver of memory (Jonas). Once given this position, Jonas sees how imperative memory is and all of the joy it brings him. In this book, it highlights that: though memory is pain, there is no true happiness without it. Jonas feels that the gift of memory is so important that he strives to help the community bring their memory back. To The Giver, “there's much more. There's all that goes beyond – all that is Elsewhere – and all that goes back, and back, and back. I received all of those, when I was selected. And here in this room, all alone, I re-experience them again and again. It is how wisdom comes. And how we shape our future” (56). Memories are in our lives to shape our future. They’re the residue of trial and error and influence all of our future decisions, just like driving safer.
     Memories also create relationships. Memories are references to funny movie, lifestyles and past experiences. You connect with your friends because you have the same memories and experiences that have shaped you into similar friends. Jonas realizes this when he says, “The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared" (33). Memories need to be shared so that friendships can be made and the pain of loneliness can be eliminated. Memory played such a significant role in The Giver and proved the importance of friendships and togetherness through its absence.

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