THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORY
RELATING TO JONAS’ SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH JONAS’ CHARACTERISTICS
IN LOIS LOWRY’S THE GIVER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented As Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirement For The Degree Of Sarjana Sastra
In English Letters
By
YOSEPH HARY WIBOWO Student Number: 014214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
i
THE IMPORTANCE OF MEMORY
RELATING TO JONAS’ SELF-ACTUALIZATION
THROUGH JONAS’ CHARACTERISTICS
IN LOIS LOWRY’S
THE GIVER
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented As Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
YOSEPH HARY WIBOWO
Student Number: 014214082
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
iv
“Death Is So Tragic,
Since Life Is So Precious”
Erich fromm
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vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to dedicate my gratitude to God for this lovely religious life. I
believe that He gives me a great life that is very significant in the precious process
of finishing this writing.
I definitely thank my beloved parents, brothers, sister, and big family of
“Trah Gayam” for guiding me in this complicated world, give prayers, and
support during the process of writing of this thesis. My special gratitude goes to
my dearest Ayudya “Gendul” Herviyanti for her never-ending love, care,
companion, encouragement, patience, SMS, phone calls, and her loveliest life.
Millions of thanks to Mr. Paulus Sarwoto, S.S., M.A. as my thesis advisor,
all the lecturers and the staff of the Department of English Letters USD for
helping me in all occasions. I dedicate my gratitude to my lovely 2001 English
Letters friends: Tito, Genjik, Bola, Kothos, Kardiman, Garry, Sepep, Koenthet,
Farah, Mila, Kupret, Vanny, Maria, Yongky, Obed, Ian, Endra, Sinda, and all of
2001 folks.
I give my appreciation to mbak Sofie, Mbing, lilik’s Ius, De Marto’s
community, Tumindak Ngiwo Community (Ganyong, Kopet, Windra, Sapi,
Zigot,), Lumbung Aksara Community, and ex-Seminaris Community (Siro,
Gepeng, Iblis, Dono, Acong), and all friends that I cannot mention one by one
whose help is very significant in the process of this undergraduate thesis writing.
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE………….. ... i
APPROVAL PAGE ... ii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE ... iii
MOTTO PAGE ... iv
DEDICATION PAGE ... v
AGREEMENT OF PUBLICATION………...vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... viii
ABSTRACT ... ix
ABSTRAK ... .x
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1
A. Background of the Study... 1
B. Problem Formulation... 4
C. Objectives of the Study ... 4
D. Definition of the Terms ... 5
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW ... 6
A. Review of Related Studies ... 6
B. Review of Related Theories ... 7
1. Theory of Character……….7
2. Theory on Self-Actualization………..…...11
3. Theory on Memory………...16
4. Relation between Literature and Psychology……….19
C. Theoretical Framework ... 20
CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY ... 22
A. Object of the Study ... 22
B. Approach of the Study ... 24
C. Method of the Study ... 24
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS ... 27
A. Jonas's Characterization in the Novel ... 27
B. Jonas's Tracking of Memory in the Novel ... 33
C. Jonas's Self-Actualization in the Novel……….…………....52
D. The Rule of Memory towards Jonas's Self-Actualization……….63
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION ... 78
ix
ABSTRACT
YOSEPH HARY WIBOWO. The Importance of Memory Relating To Jonas’ Self-Actualization through Jonas’ Characteristics in Lois Lowry’s The Giver.
Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2008.
Lois Lowry builds the community in The Giver as utopian society which lives with no rudeness, no crime, and no diseases. It means that their life is so painless. To realize this idea, Lois Lowry creates a group of people who do not want to be burdened with memories. As the consequence, there is no past experience as learnt matter even creative less and colorless. Ironically, the fact that Jonas is pointed as receiver of memory proves that lives generally need memory. The community needs a receiver of memory to give them wisdom of life. Realizing the fact that they have no memory, Jonas decides to escape the community forever in order to unleash all the memories that have been kept from the citizens for so long. This kind of struggle is considered as self-actualization.
There are four problems revealed from the topic. The first problem is to find the characteristics of the main character, Jonas, based on Murphy’s theory of characterization. The second is how tracks of memory are described in the novel. The third is how Jonas’s self-actualization is described in the novel. The last problem is how the roles of memory relating to Jonas’s self-actualization.
In answering the problems, this study uses library research and psychological approach. The writer analyzes this novel based on psychology since the concept of memory and self-actualization are the significant theories in psychology.
x
ABSTRAK
YOSEPH HARY WIBOWO. The Importance of Memory Relating To Jonas’ Self-Actualization through Jonas’ Characteristics in Lois Lowry’s The Giver.
Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2008.
Lois Lowry menciptakan masyarakat dalam The Giver ini sebagai masyarakat utopis yang hidup tanpa kekerasan, kriminalitas, dan wabah penyakit. Hal ini berarti bahwa hidup mereka tidak mengenal rasa sakit. Untuk mewujudkan ide tersebut, Sang pengarang, Lois Lowry, menciptakan sekelompok orang yang tidak menginginkan beban memori. Sebagai konskuensinya, masa lalu sebagai materi belajar hilang dan bahkan kreatifitas dan dinamika hidup kurang. Ironisnya, kenyataan bahwa Jonas telah ditunjuk sebagai Sang Penerima memori membuktikan secara umum bahwa hidup membutuhkan memori. Mereka membutuhkan seorang penerima memori agar bisa memberikan kebijakan hidup. Setelah menyadari bahwa mereka tidak memiliki memori, Jonas memutuskan untuk pergi dari komunitas selamanya sehingga memori yang telah lama hilang dari masyarakat dapat kembali. Perjuangan macam ini merupakan sebuah aktualisasi diri.
Ada empat permasalahan berdasarkan topik tersebut. Permasalahan yang pertama adalah apa saja karakter Jonas menurut teori Murphy. Yang kedua adalah bagaimana jejak-jejak perjalanan memori jonas diuraikan dalam novel tersebut. Yang ketiga adalah bagaimana aktualisasi diri Jonas dijelaskan. Dan yang terakhir adalah bagaimana peran memori dalam mendukung aktualisasi diri Jonas.
Dalam menjawab permasalahan-permasalahan tersebtut, studi ini menggunakan metode studi pustaka dan pendekatan psikologi. Penulis menganalisa novel ini berdasarkan teori psikologi karena konsep memori dan aktualisasi diri merupakan teori yang relevan dalam psikologi.
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of Study
Some people’s opinion that literature is just a matter of fun and enjoyment
is not completely right because actually literature is more than just fun and
enjoyment. Hudson in An Introduction to the Study of Literature states,
“Literature is the expression of life through the medium of language. It can be
regarded as something essential since it contains something about real life, people,
thought, and their feeling about life” (1960: 10).
It means that literature can be a portrait of human life. The content of
literature, especially a novel, can be the description of experience of the human
nature that is reflected in the language. There is a close relationship between
literature and human life. Since literature is the reflection of human life, we can
enrich our knowledge and experiences. So, reading literature does not simply
enjoy the pleasure and excitement, but we can dig out the meaning inside because
literature is the medium for learning about life.
There are several genres of literature: novel, short story, poem, play, etc.
Among those several genres of literature above, the writer is mostly interested in
novels, because novels are usually a portrait of human life that involves various
characters and conversation that make the story so lively. Novels also let the
Theory of Literature state that “a literary work of art is not a simple object but
rather a highly complex organization of stratified characters with multiple
meaning and relationship” (1977: 27). This opinion is supported by Van De Laar
and Schoonderwoerd in An Approach to English Literature. He defines “a novel
as a work of art in so far as it introduces us into a living world; in some respect
resembling the world we live in, but with an individuality of its own” (1963: 163).
It can be said that a novel is a human nature’s reflection that figure out in a
literary work. Novel is also classified as a fiction story, but the meaning indeed is
deep. Novel shows us experiences, crimes, romance, social problems, etc. The
story is almost the same with the real life.
In this study, the writer would like to discuss one of Lois Lowry’s novels,
The Giver. Lois Lowry is a famous American writer. He had written several
novels that made him famous, such as A Summer to Die (the International Reading
Association Children’s Book Award in 1978), Anastasia series and Number the
Stars (won the Newbery Medal and the National Jewish Book Award in 1990).
The writer chooses Lois Lowry’s The Giver as the subject of analysis
because the story of the novel gives a good impression to the writer and it seems
that it has something to offer to the readers. The story evolves about an adult
whose name is Jonas. Jonas is an eleven year old child who is chosen to become a
Receiver of Memories in the community. The community that was created by Lois
Lowry in the novel was a utopian society. It seems ideal that there is no rudeness,
want to be burdened with memories. They also do not want to make decisions or
changes which, in the past, have led to disaster. That is why a Receiver of
Memory is needed in the community. The fact, no one deserved, but Jonas, the
most respected and honored one who has the skills, honesty, and courage to
become Receiver.
In the beginning of his training with The Giver, Jonas slowly understands
the truth about the community. The Giver gives all of the memories to Jonas. He
does so through all of the senses. Jonas learns all of which are not present in the
society: of war and hate, of snow and trees and colors, and of the horror all around
him. Those kinds of memories deeply bring Jonas in realizing that things must
change. Everyone have to have the memories of the past. Planning together with
The Giver, Jonas decides to escape the community forever in order to unleash all
the memories that have been kept from the citizens for so long.
From the reason above, the writer has some ideas to discuss the main
character, in this case Jonas, as the central character of the novel. The writer
discusses the main character of the novel because the main character of the novel
plays an important role from the beginning to the end of the story. The writer also
finds that Jonas is a self-actualizing-individual, as Maslow stated that people who
seeks the frontiers of creativity and strive to reach higher levels of conscious and
wisdom, were described as “self-actualizing-individuals” (Maslow). Therefore, in
this study the writer also wants to discuss about the importance of memory
relating to Jonas’ self-actualization. Maslow stated in Duanne Schultz’s Growth
supreme development and the use of our abilities, the fulfillment of all our
qualities and capacities (1987: 64). It means that self-actualization is related to the
work of intelligence for James D. Weinland, Ph.D in How To Improve Your
Memory stated that intelligence is defined as “ability to learn” and it is integrated
with Memory, since all the intelligence is based on memory (1957: 15).
B. Problem Formulation
Referring to the explanation above, the writer conducts four problem
formulations, they are:
1. What are the characteristics of Jonas described in the novel?
2. How is Jonas’ Tracking of Memory described in the novel?
3. How is Jonas’ Self-Actualization described in the novel?
4. How does Memory encourage Jonas’ Self-Actualization?
C. Objectives of The Study
This undergraduate thesis emphasis on the psychological study of the
importance of memory, relating to Jonas’ self-actualization. There are four
objectives of this study. Firstly, this study tries to question how Jonas is
characterized in the novel. The second is how Jonas’ tracking of memory is
described in Lois Lowry’s The Giver. The third question is how Jonas’
Self-Actualization is described in the novel. And the last is questioning how memory
D. Definition of Terms
1. Psychology
Kasschau in Understanding of Psychology shows that psychology is the
scientific behavior and mental processes. It covers everything that people think,
feel, and do. (1985: 7).
2. Self-Actualization
Maslow cited in Duane Schultz’s Psychology: Models of the Healthy
Personality, states that self-actualization is the realization of a person in
presenting himself or herself as a human being. This realization affects on his or
her perception as well as ways of living (Schultz, 1987: 64).
3. Main Character
Reaske in The College Guide to the Study of Literature points out that
main character is inherently important and we take a long hard look on him to
understand the author’s meaning (1970: 169). This means that the main character
is the one of the way in which the author conveys certain meanings.
4. Memory
James D. Weinland, Ph.D. in How to Improve Your Memory states that
memory is a dynamic organization of ideas by which the individual interprets his
environments and lives (1957: 135). This means that memory is a direct result of
action: of how the body moves and responds to its environment. It exists to help
6
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review Related Studies
It is discovered that The Giver is both science fiction and fantasy. The
utopian society has been created by Lowry shares many aspects, such as the strict
regulation and repressing of careers, marriage, and reproduction; the termination
of family connections; the glorification of society; and persistent government
monitoring of people’s activities. They eliminated all things that humans want to
do, away with such as fear, pain, hunger, illness, conflicts, and hatred (Hurst). The
writer considers that such those things above perform an unreal life; in which
human should have their own experiences; such as fear, pain, hunger, illness,
conflicts, and hatred as the realization of the freedom and to maximize their
potential.
The giver presents a citizen that needs the basic freedoms and pleasures
that human value by nature. It is because of the strict rules that govern their
behavior, relationship, and their language. The sameness that is described in the
giver is a portrayal of ignoring differences between individuals and it is to avoid
prejudice or discrimination as it is also reviewed that in order to maintain peace
and order to their society, the citizens of the community have to submit to the
ideology of the sameness (The Giver).
Other study stated that Lowry imagines a world of sameness. There are no
The committee in the novel wants a community which is in their control and
everything is governed by their authority.
In The Giver, Lois Lowry also tackles the issues of abortion and
euthanasia that emerged as social question in the United States in the early 1990s.
The anti-abortion versus pro-choice controversy raged hotly. And, new questions
arouse concerning the ethics of an individuals’ right to choose to end his or
other’s life (Elbond ).
Here, the writer tries to develop some of the studies stated above. It is to
clarify the importance of memory which is fully owned by human being as the
essential part of life. Koffka stated, in David J. Murray’s Gestalt Psychology and
the Cognitive Revolution, that new behaviors can be elicited by a problem (1995:
148). Generally memory is the perfect form of human functional implementation
of mental life which supports human intellectual work. It is about how to do a
good behavior, how to use language well, and finally, how to achieve the potential
one, which is representing a self - actualizing personal.
B. Review Related Theories
1. Theory of Character
Some writers use characters to develop the central idea of their works.
Character is an important element of literature. Through the character, writers give
the readers a guidance to understand the story comprehensively. It is worth to
theory of character as a way to reveal the main character’s self – actualization.
Below Robert states a definition of character:
Character in literature is an extended verbal representation of human being, especially the inner self that determines thought, speech, and behavior. Through dialogue, action, and commentary, literature captures some of the interactions interesting of character and circumstance. Literature makes these interactions interesting by portraying characters that are worth caring about, rooting for, and even loving although there are also characters at whom you may laugh or whom you may dislike or even hate (1984: 54).
Robert mentions four important points about character in literature. First, it
represents the inner self of human being: determines thought, speech and
behavior. The second point deals with the explanation that characters can be
analyzed through dialogue, action and commentary. In the third point, Robert
determines that there are interactions between a character and its circumstance.
The fourth point explains that there are some different types of characters.
A related explanation of character is stated by Abrams:
Character as the person presented in a dramatic or narrative work, who is interpreted by the readers as being endowed with a moral and disposition quality, that are expressed in what they say, the dialogue, and by what they do the action (1981: 20).
Based on the theories above, it is clear that characters in dramatic or
narrative works should have the same characteristics like real human beings.
Therefore these characters should have moral and emotional quality in which they
are considered as the important things to express intellectual work such as how
they say something well, how they deal with dialogue, and how they manage the
action. Both Robert and Abrams give basic definition of the character. Character
In order to understand the characteristics of a character, especially main
character, it is necessary for readers to observe the details of the character. There
are ways in which an author can convey his characters both directly and indirectly
in his novel. M. J.Murphy (1972: 161-173) mentions nine ways of how an author
reveals the character’s personalities and traits to the reader. Yet, sometimes we
cannot find all the nine ways in a novel. They are as follows:
a. Personal Description
The author can describe a person’s appearance and clothes.
b. Character as Seen by Another
Instead of describing a character directly the author can describe the
character through the eyes and opinion of another.
c. Speech
The author can give us an insight into the character of one of the persons
in the novel through what that person says. Whenever a person speaks, whenever
he/she is in conversation with another, whenever he/she puts forward an opinion,
he is giving us some clues to his character.
d. Past Life
By letting the reader learn something about a person’s past life, the author
can give some clues to his/her character.
e. Conversation of Others
The author can give us clues to a person’s character through the
f. Reaction
The author can also give us a clue to a person’s character by letting us
know how that person reacts to various situations and events.
g. Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly.
h. Thoughts
The author can give us direct knowledge of what a person is thinking
about. He can tell us what different people are thinking.
i. Mannerisms
The author can describe a person’s mannerisms, habits or idiosyncrasies,
which may also tell us something about his/her character.
From the above theories it is implied that a character in some ways may be reflected from the character’s behavior. As the starting point of having character, behavior is placed as an important part. Further the writer assumes that in this related study self – actualization can be revealed from character. When we read a novel and try to analyze a character in it, we are most dealing with the verbal language, therefore it is important to pay much attention on the dialogue between characters and commentary provided by the writer about the character. Further, we could gain much information about the character’s behavior, about what one does. In order to analyze the characters in Lowry’s The Giver, I have to pay much attention to such criteria, of categories and details, in the novel.
Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods Jr. stated in Reading and Writing about Literature, that there are two ways of characterization. The first is by direct means in which is to describe the character’s physical appearance and intellectual, moral and degree of sensitivity. The second is by dramatic means that is used to put the character in situation to show the character through the character’s way of behaving and speaking (1971: 20).
2. Theory On Self-Actualization
Maslow in Duanne Schultz’ Growth Psychology: Models of the Healthy
Personality (Schultz, 1977:69-78) illustrates a number of specific characteristics
that described self-actualizing person:
1. Self-actualizing persons perceive objects and person in the world around them
objectively. They have an efficient perception of reality that enables them to
perceive reality as it is.
2. Self-actualizing persons acquire a general acceptance of nature, others, and
oneself. It is a matter of accepting oneself, their shortcoming, and their
strength; without complaint or worry.
3. Self-actualizing persons are those who attain spontaneity, simplicity, and
naturalness in behaving. They do not hide their emotion but can display them
honestly.
4. Self-actualizing persons have a focus on problems outside themselves. They
give concerns on the works they are doing.
5. Self-actualizing persons have needs for privacy and independence. They have
strongly self centered and self directed. It means that they have the ability to
make up their own minds, reach their own decisions, and exercise their own
motivation and discipline. Maslow in The Father Reaches of Human Nature
shows that it is about making growth choices than fear choices. Growth
choices develop people character, while fear choices decrease it (1982: 44).
6. Self-actualizing persons are autonomous functioning. This is a simple first
step toward self-actualization. If a person is an autonomous functioning, she or
he has realized that satisfaction of the growth motives comes from within.
7. actualizing persons have a continued freshness of appreciation.
Self-actualizing persons continually appreciate certain experiences, no matter how
often they are repeated, with a fresh sense of pleasure, awe, and wonder. They
take little for granted but continue to be thankful for what they posses and can
experience.
8. Self-actualizing persons experience mystical, or “peak” experiences. It is
when the self is transcendence and the person is gripped by a feeling of power,
confidence, and decisiveness, a profound sense that there is nothing he or she
could not accomplish to become.
9. Self-actualizing persons concern in social interest. They posses strong and
deep feeling of empathy and affection for all human beings, as well as a desire
to help humanity.
10.Self-actualizing persons acquire the interpersonal relations. They are capable
They are capable of greater love, deeper friendship, and more complete
identification with other individuals.
11.Self-actualizing persons have democratic character structure. There is no
certain limitation on building relationship with people, such as social class,
level of education, political or religious affiliation, race or color. They hold the
essence of equality that every person has the same opportunity to know others.
12.Self-actualizing persons are capable to recognize discrimination between
means and ends, between good and evil. The self-actualizing persons hold that
they are enjoying the process of achieving something as well as the goals they
achieve. Therefore, they give consent both on the means and the ends. In
addition, they have well defined understanding on good and evil so that they
cannot be easily influenced by confusing situation that enable then to make
decisions.
13.Self-actualizing persons acquire unhostile sense of humor. This characteristic
deals with the ability of persons in making fun of humanity in general, not in
specific individuals.
14.Self-actualizing persons can present his or her creativeness. This means that
they are original, inventive, and innovative, although not always in terms of
producing an artistic creation. It is more of an attitude, an expression of
psychological health, and is concerned more with the way people perceive and
react to the world than with finished products of an artistic nature.
15.Self-actualizing persons have resistance to enculturation. They are able to
detachment, an aloofness from their culture, guided by themselves rather than
by others.
Maslow shows that the goal of self – actualization is to enrich and enlarge
the experience of living, to increase the joy and ecstasy at being alive. The ideal is
to develop the tension through new, challenging, and diverse experiences. He
clarifies that self – actualizing person do not strive, they develop (Schultz, 1987:
65). So, it is essentially a survival need which is considered as the highest need
during people’s life time. As the beginning points lead to this kind of highest
achievement are stated by Maslow that there are four levels of need which is
ended at being self – actualizing person, as the fifth point should be achieved by
healthy personal. The four needs required to achieve self – actualization that stand
lower in the hierarchy are: (1) psychological needs, (2) safety needs, (3) belonging
needs, (4) esteem needs. The needs must be at least partially satisfied in the order
before the need for self – actualization appears (Critelli, 1987: 62).
Here below are the further explanations of the hierarchy of needs Maslow
set up in which the basic survival needs are the first priority, and the highest
potential follow on when other needs have been met:
1. Psychological needs. These include the needs we have for oxygen, water,
protein, salt, sugar, calcium, and other minerals and vitamins, also needs to be
active, to rest, to sleep, etc. Maslow said that these are in fact individual needs
2. The safety needs. Then person will become increasingly interested in finding
thirst anymore, but with his fears, and anxieties, such a need to have a home in
safe neighborhood.
3. The love and belonging needs. When psychological and safety needs have
been fulfilled, he begin to feel the need for friends, a sweetheart, children,
affectionate relationship in general, even a sense of community. Then he
becomes increasing susceptible to loneliness and social anxieties.
4. The esteem needs. Next, he needs to have a little self esteem. There are two
versions of esteem need, a lower one which concern to have the respect of
others: the need for status, fame, glory, recognition, attention, reputation,
appreciation, dignity, even dominance. And a higher one involves the need for
self- respect: feeling confidence, competence, achievement, mastery,
independence, and freedom.
And the potential one is called self – actualization. This level involves the
desire to fulfill potentials. In supporting Maslow’s theory of self-actualization,
Carl Roger showed that it is a matter of becoming the most complete. It is of
developing one’s unique psychological characteristics and potentialities. He
believes that human have an innate urge to create and that the most important
creative product is one’s own self. The tendency to actualize is much stronger
than the pain and struggle and any accompanying urge to cease the effort to
develop (Schultz, 1977: 27).
According to the theories on self-actualization stated above it can be
highlighted that self-actualization is the process in which the person tries to
actualize his or her potentials as a human being that is capable of becoming what
he or she wants to achieve. However self-actualization is not the final destination
of a perfect personality.
In the final use of this study the writer wants to make it as the way to
reveal the importance of memory in achieving a good life, especially through the
main character Jonas.
3. Theory On Memory
As James D. Weinland, Ph.D. stated in How to Improve Your Memory that
memory is a dynamic organization of ideas by which the individual interprets his
environments and lives, means that memory is a direct result of action: of how the
body moves and responds to its environment which exists to help us do our daily
activities (1957: 135). Since the ideal of self-actualization is always dealing with
new, challenging, and diverse experiences, memory is obviously important for
those who want to actualize themselves. The further meaning is obviously stated
by Roediger and Goff in Memory in a Companion to Cognitive Science that
memory is a complex set of abilities that enable people to learn and retain
knowledge from experience. More meaningful experience will be better
remembered and imagery is better recorded to concrete one. As the important
aspect of memory skill development has been documented that effective encoding
leads to better recall. The encoding specificity principle plays a role where the
effectiveness of retrieval cues is affected by the degree of its match with the
gain much information that further the interesting one will be optimized in human
life. Here the interesting information is the effective one to be encoded that leads
to better recall in which it plays role to have the effectiveness of retrieval cues that
definitely also depends on the degree of the encoding of the experiences. Signified
to the human experiences here memory is contributed for fact, for skill, and
working of memory that means metaphorically as (memory is a storehouse), helps
in visualizing processes including encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.
Relating to the development of the mental life of human there are
important parts, spinal cord and brain, which are structurally almost complete at
birth. Both related parts enable human normally grow in which sensory and
intellectual paths are developed. Then it would be maturing process of fibres when
the sense of smell, taste, sight, and hearing are reached. However, on the contrary
it is possible to be discovered, for instance in such an idiotic child, that the
development had been arrested on very primitive levels. There are only few of
senses had been developed, in others those that had been developed had again
been destroyed and there had been no development of conducting paths. It means
that intelligence development of human will also be blocked (Buhler, 1949:
39-40).
Principally, the great development could be revealed from any kind of
effective action. Based on the statement above that action means experiencing
would surely produce effects as there is a term called memory which is to be
effective for action. Further Young states in Personality and Problem of
modifications of tissue and capacity of recurrence. In memory this reproductive
phase is treated in terms of recall which refers to reinstatement of acquired
materials in symbolic term, and recognition which has to do with locating past
events in reference to oneself and the time and place (1945: 95). The writer
considers that there is a process of forgetting in which the reproductive phase is
mishandled by the terms of recall and recognition as in the further explanation
Young states that most acquired reactions become less effective, if not entirely
lost, for lack of practice or repetition; then it is called forgetting (1945: 98-99)
It is the truth of verbal learning that reactions as learned matter will not
lose their effectiveness if reinforced by practice. Generally the active character of
remembering or of forgetting will determine an illustration of any matter as
Young also states that common sense and carefully controlled observations on the
reliability of testimony about past events illustrate the matter beautifully (1945:
97). Therefore the writer also finds that there are social and cultural factors within
remembering which affect any action. Barlett quotes that action is directed by the
passing fashion of the group, the social custom and institution (Young, 1945: 97).
It is partly the important thing the writer use to elaborate the importance of
memory in actualizing self in which a person grows actually influenced by the
environment which consists of many aspects in society. There are many
experiences in the term of life that everyone has to handle or learn them properly
in order to reach a better life. As we know we are able to catch those experiences
Obviously it is a process of transition to actuality, in which man
psychologically deals with the environment in building the continuance of the
world through individual being as Alves argues that man historically becomes
what he is through the history of his relations with his environment (1975: 3).
This is an intellectual process as Saugstad and Raaheim argue that the higher
intellectual processes in man are determined by an enormous amount of past
experience. An adequate understanding of thinking is inconceivable without a
conceptual framework which makes it possible to handle the effect of past
experience. Therefore, thinking must be understood in terms of learning as well as
of perception and also in terms of principles for memory (Gordon, 1965: 436). As
the writer see in the novel, the learning process of Jonas is determined by
memory. The situation builds in the novel seems to be in forgetting situation, they
loss their memory. Adams stated that retention could be poor or an item might not
have been learned, so we can not be expected to remember something that has not
entered memory. We have an item in memory means that we are able to use it
intellectually (1976: 285).
It is about recognition that experiencing might be kind of stimuli which
can make an action goes well. Adams also said that in recognition, for instance
you saw one’s face or heard a tune long time ago, the stimuli can mean the correct
naming. Recognition is the truly remarkable feature of human memory. It means
that memory of an item has effects of how to recognize it correctly (1976: 316).
4. Relation between Literature and Psychology
Lindauer, in Psychology and Its Allied Disciplines volume I edited by
Bornstein, states that literature is best at describing the human condition in a
dramatic form while psychology has the strength to investigate the human’s
character or behavior in systematic ways (1984: 144). It indicated that literature
and psychology are two subjects that can be media to explore human’s life.
Literature depicts human condition in dramatic way while psychology studies
human characteristics.
Wellek and warren also discuss that characters in plays and novels are
judged to be “psychologically” true. Sometimes a psychological theory held either
consciously or dimly by an author, seems to fit a figure or a situation (1956: 91).
It seems to be supported by kallish, in his book The Psychology of Human
Behaviour. He states that literature “holds the mirror up to the man”. A good
writer or novelist can communicate the feeling of their characters and make them
seem more life-like than the real people whose behavior the psychologist attempts
to describe. The writer can use the understanding provided by psychologist to
enrich the stories, and psychologist can gain in their understanding of human
behavior by drawing from the deep sensitivity of good author (1973: 8).
So, it can be sure that the analysis of literary works may reflect certain
psychological factors because the relationship between literature and psychology
is closely established. Above the writer has placed psychological subjects to
C. Theoretical Framework
Theory on character will be used to strengthen the illustration of the
character that are going to be analyzed, that further the writer used theory on
characterization as the way to reveal the development of the character’s
consciousness to actualize him.
Theory on self-actualization will be used to show that self-actualization is
the highest of human needs, in which human strives to be the potential one as
individual and social.
The main theory is theory on memory. This theory will used to elucidate
the importance of memory in relating to the character’s self–actualization. The
writer believes that by this fundamental theory the character is driven to be the
22
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
This chapter covers three subtitles, namely object of the study, approach of
the study, and method of the study. The object of the study gives information
about the work that is analyzed. The approach of the study explains the method of
the analysis. Then the method of the study describes the steps that are done in
order to do the analysis.
A. Object of the Study
The Giver is utopian fiction that is written in English published by Bantam
Doubleday Dell Books in 1993. In this edition, the novel has 180 pages and 23
chapters. This futuristic science fiction novel which won the 1994 Newberry
Medal is written by Lois Lowry, an author who is famous for children literature
writing.
The main character of the novel is Jonas. He is a twelve years old boy who
lives in a family within a utopian community. Everything goes in the sameness
that everyone is provided for, each family unit consists of one female and male
child. Each member of the community has their profession carefully chosen from
them by the committee of the elders. There is no hunger, no pain, people never
starve, never feel upset because everything is controlled to be equal by the
committee of elders. It means that people’s memories are controlled so that life
community who has no capability of perceiving any kind of senses are not capable
to present an indication of what could be the future. So this is sameness principle
which means that the life standard is based on what is demanded by the committee
of elders. However the life of the community is driven by such wisdom still that
comes from a chosen person who has the capability of perceiving colors, courage,
and intelligence. Jonas, who has unusual capacity to see beyond, is the one who is
going to be the next receiver, i. e the receiver of memory as the source of wisdom.
From the moment Jonas is selected as the Receiver of memory at the
ceremony, his life is never the same. Jonas discovers that the community is not as
perfect as it seems. One day, Jonas is surprised to watch his father injecting a fluid
into an infant’s forehead until it goes limp and then loads it into a chute. Jonas
realizes that being released, which is aimed to those who can not fit the life
standard as demanded by the sameness principles, means killed. Further he finds
that the sameness principles cause something great importance missing, that is
memory.
Without memories, everything is meaningless. With the helps of the giver,
Jonas tries to find what long ago had been lost. Jonas gets on an adventure to save
the world as he knows it. He makes a decision to escape from the community with
Gabriel, a one year old boy who is also going to be released because of health
problem. Having Jonas leave the community would cause all of the memory
released to the rest of the people, allowing them to feel the powerful emotions that
Jonas and The Giver feel. Having memory means return the emotion and meaning
B. Approach of the Study
In relation to the topic of the thesis, the writer applies the psychological
approach in analyzing the importance of memory relating to the main character’s,
Jonas’ self-actualizing.
Wilfred L, Guerin in A Handbook of Critical Approach to Literature says
that psychological approach can be fascinating and rewarding since its proper
application to interpret the literary work can enhance the researchers’
understanding and appreciation of literature (1999: 125). Using this approach, the
readers are possible to analyze the characteristics of the main character in the
literary works.
Samuel H. Woods and Mary Rorhberger also say that psychological
approach involves the effort to locate and demonstrate certain recurrent patterns
(1971: 13). That is psychology. The approach is applied when the attention is
focused on the psychological interpretation for enhancing the understanding and
appreciation of literature.
The writer considers that psychological approach is the most appropriate
to be applied in this thesis because the writer studies the psychological aspects of
the main character in the novel.
C. Method of the Study
The analysis in this study uses library research. Lois Lowry’s The Giver is
the prime in which the writer collects the data. The secondary data were essays
character, to reveal self-actualization, and especially theory on memory. Such
theories taken from: Holman and Harmon’s A Handbook to Literatur, Kernan’s
Character and Conflict: An Introduction to Drama, Abrams’ A Glossary of
Literary Items, Rohrberger and Samuel’s Reading and Writing about Literature,
Maslow’s and Carl Roger’s self-actualization theory in Duanne Schultz’ Growth
Psychology: Models of the Healthy Personality, Critelli’s Personal Growth And
effective Behaviour, Weinland’s How to Improve Your Memory, Roediger and
Goff‘s Memory in a Companion to Cognitive Science, Buhler’s The Mental
Development of Child, Young’s Personality and Problem of Adjustment, Gordon’s
Human Development: Reading in Research, Adams’ Learning and Memory. An
Introduction, Ray’s essay in Bell’s Memory, Trauma and World Politics:
Reflections on the Relationship between Past and Present, will support each other
to analyze this study.
There were some steps to do this analysis. The first was reading the novel
thoroughly in order to get the full details and deeper understanding on the novel.
The second step was formulating the problem and finding the appropriate
approach to be applied in the analysis. There are three problem formulations: how
Jonas’ Tracking of Memory is described in the novel, how Jonas’
Self-Actualization is described in the novel, and how Memory psychologically
encourages Jonas’ Self-Actualization.
Then, applying the theories in analyzing the work will be the way to
answer the problem. Describing the characteristics of the main character using
and the self-actualization of the main character. Later, the writer will find out the
importance of the memory, in the process of Jonas’ self-actualization. Finally, the
27
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
In this chapter the writer will answer four problem formulations that are
mentioned in the first chapter. The first problem formulation is how Jonas is
characterized in the novel. The second problem formulation is how Jonas’s
Tracking of Memory is described in the novel. The third problem formulation is
how Jonas’s Self-Actualization is described in the novel. And the fourth problem
formulation is how Memory psychologically encourages Jonas’
Self-Actualization.
A. Jonas’s Characterization In The Novel
In this part the writer tries to attain the descriptions of the main character,
Jonas, based on what Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods Jr. stated that
characters can be seen through direct means such as: his physical appearance and
intellectual, moral and degree of sensitivity. The second way is dramatic means
that are indicated through the character’s way of behaving and speaking. To
perceive the characteristics, the writer observes the character according to the
context of situation in the novel.
The concept of sameness which is used in controlling the community
seems to be succeeding that all of people in the community have a lot of
similarities even in physical things. However, the basic nature is the most eternal
thing that everyone deals with during their life time. So, it is possible for everyone
community. For example, Jonas is the one of a few person with lighter eyes in the
community. It is considered as his physical characteristic.
“…and he has funny eyes like yours, Jonas!” Jonas glared at her…almost every citizen in the community had dark eyes. His parents did, and lily did, and so did all of his groups members and friends. But there were a few exceptions: Jonas himself and a female five who he had noticed had the different, lighter eyes. Now seeing the new child and its expression he was reminded that the light eyes were not only a rarity but gave the one who had them a certain look-what was it? Depth, he decided; as if one were looking into the clear water of the river, down to the bottom, where thing might lurk which hadn’t been discovered yet. He felt self-conscious, realizing that he, too, had that look. (P. 20-21)
For almost all of the citizens in the community have dark eyes, Jonas’s lighter
eyes are absolutely unique. It is believed, in the novel, that this kind of eyes have
symbolized a certain look, which is depth, of which meaning is a power in seeing
its intensity, seeing the deepness.
The quotation above has shown descriptively about the meaning of that
kind of eyes meanwhile Jonas’s decision in saying the word “depth” comes from
his capacity. It seems like when he looks into clear water of the river. Because of
his great capacity in seeing the beyond Jonas can perceive “depth” as a
representative terminology for something in the bottom of the river, something
that might lurk, and something which has not been discovered yet.
As the consequences of having that capacity, Jonas is able to experience
much kind of views, such a notice of the changes of an apple. It happens when he
follows the path of the apple through the air with his eyes. It is considered that
there is a verbal learning in which Jonas is supported to think hard about what
…so he let it pass- but suddenly Jonas had noticed, following the path of the apple through the air with his eyes, that the piece of fruit had-well, this part that he couldn’t adequately understand-the apple had changed. Just for an instant. It had changed in mid-air, he remembered. Then it was in his hand and he looked at it carefully but it was the same apple. Unchanged…Jonas had been completely mystified… he had tossed it several times across the room, watching, and then rolled it around and around on his desktop, waiting for the thing to happen again (P. 23-25)
Knowing that the apple has changed, even just for instant, Jonas tries to
watch carefully in order to identify the incidence. This kind of process is captured
as an interaction between Jonas and his circumstance, the apple itself. Further, the
proccess determines Jonas’s thought in searching the truth of what he has just seen
through the incidence. For Jonas has been completely mystified, he brings the
apple home and tosses it several times across the room.
It is clear that there are at least two points that can be revealed from the
explanation above. The first one is that Jonas is a brave person for he brings the
apple home meanwhile the rule of the community states that it is forbidden to
bring anything out of the recreation room. So, his behavior is against the rule of
the community as a motive of finding the mystifying thing. Related to his
determination of thinking, as the second point, Jonas is considered as a good
learner in which he can not stop to search what surely happens with the apple. In
addition, he tosses the apple several times in order to have more explanation. He
does it again and again.
His capacities have strongly been special characteristics. He is much better
if compared with others in the community. The situation of the community
illustrated in the novel has ironically developed Jonas’s characteristics. It seems
Jonas grows within a depth of life. The quotation below shows that Jonas is
different from other.
With his new, heightened feelings, he was overwhelmed by sadness at the way the other had laughed and shouted, playing at the war. But he knew that they could not understand why, without the memories…but they could not feel it back, without the memories. ..Jonas knew with certainty that he could change nothing. (P. 135)
Jonas has sensitive feelings about the condition of his own environment.
His friends’ habitual in playing a game of war makes him sad because of its
terrible meaning. On the contrary, they can not perceive this kind of feeling even
they innocently laugh and shout in the game. It is a sadness that is overwhelmed
by Jonas that he tries to stop them to play. He cares to all of his friends; and also
family, even to the entire members of the community.
Jonas’s sensitivity has also been shown in his close relationship with his
family. At least this point has been the beginning for Jonas that he is well
practiced in treating his circumstances. However, he realizes that it can not be
done without memory. Being apart from a matter of memory, the moment that
used to happen in his family can be a proof that Jonas has this kind of basic
nature. It is a feeling of sympathy and care toward his sister, named Lily.
“Thank you for your dream, Lily.” Jonas said the standard phrase automatically, and tried to pay better attention while his mother told of a dream fragment… (P. 34)
The interaction above tells that Jonas appreciates that simple story that is
told by Lily. It is a good reaction from Jonas towards Lily’s experience that makes
mother begins. At the same time Jonas’s reactions show an appreciation toward
the story of both his sister and his mother.
Telling about Jonas’s characteristics actually the writer has firstly found
the details since the beginning of the story. The past life of the community seems
terrible that everyone in the community is forbidden to have access about it.
However the writer captures this kind of assumption from some starting points in
the beginning of the story in which Jonas’s characteristics are dramatically
exposed.
At the very first time the writer finds that Jonas is a smart boy, a personal
with a high intelligence. As the community is controlled by a concept called
sameness, all of the members are grown in the same way. It means that their
experiences are almost same in which the result shows the lacks of life aspects,
such as creativity, and also freedom of choice. The possibility of having the
special characteristics is almost none. There are a little amount of people who
have that kind of characteristics. Jonas is an exception.
Jonas’s precision in language shows his intelligence. It is not only about its
accuracy but how Jonas tooks a deal with the process of finding the right one.
There is no one in the community reacted like him in dealing life generally.
The quotation above shows that a matter of language contains of some important
elements. They are related each other in perceiving language, especially in the
process of how Jonas tries to make a right terminology of a moment or something
that Jonas experiences during his days in the community.
When the December is approaching Jonas feels frightened, or at least the
word “frightened “ has appeared as Jonas’s first reaction about what he is feeling
at that time. Further, he tries to revise it as he consideres that the word
“frightened” is wrong. Obviously this is a process of thinking. Jonas wants the
right one because in Jonas opinion, as seen in the quotation above, the word
“frightened” has its intention which is tightly different from what he is feeling.
Comparing with the feeling which has come a year ago he tries to make sure that
“frightened” is wrong word. So, not knowing the right word means that he can not
pronounce it correctly. The fact that he does not know what kind of feeling he is
experiencing has supported him to find one which matches with his feeling.
Being apart from the result, Jonas represents himself as an intelligent
person. The result, as finally “apprehensive” is found, is a logical consequence of
the process which Jonas experiences. Thought and imagery has been used to have
a precision language.
Finally, the details of Jonas’s characteristics are strongly supported
through conversation of other. In brief the writer quotes the conversations below:
With her hand still firmly on his shoulder, the chief elder listed the qualities.
“Intelligence,” she said. “We are all aware that Jonas has been a top student throughout his school days.”
“We expect that. We hope, also, that he would present himself promptly for chastisement, and he has always done so.
“Courage, “she went on. “Only one of us here today has ever undergone the rigorous training required of a receiver. He of course…. (P. 62)
It happens in the annual ceremony in which Jonas is selected to be the next new
Receiver. To be selected as receiver, some qualities are needed. Jonas is the one
who has matched qualities to be the next new Receiver. The statements above are
clear that Jonas is known as an intelligent person for he is a top student throughout
his school days. The chief elder states that Jonas has the integrity that he has
presented himself as a responsible person, especially after committing minor
transgressions. At last, it is also considered that Jonas is the brave one for dealing
with that kind of matters above needs courage.
B. Jonas’s Tracking Of Memory In The Novel
Relating to Jonas’ tracking of memory his characteristics takes important
part to have meaningful life experiences. In analyzing Jonas’ tracking of
memories the writer starts with the beginning of receiving memories. Then as
Jonas has experienced many things in the novel, the development of Jonas’s
capacities is the second point following the first one. And for the last point, the
writer tries to analyze how Jonas is gaining and using wisdom through memories.
1. The Beginning of Receiving Memory
The story is illustrated as a community which has no variety in life aspects
such as feeling, thought, and activity because of the sameness concept. The life of
anything against the rule of the community, especially memory. The story tells
that memory is the main aspect that must be omitted despite burdened to one
person to have such a wisdom, called Receiver.
The main character, Jonas, is a boy who is, later, pointed as the next
Receiver. He is also still in the rule of the community. So, memory is forbidden
for him that he can not access a feeling like stirring. On the contrary, Jonas likes
the feeling that he has experienced. At the first time his dream about friend has
been his excited memory that comes and comes again. it is a kind of pleasure as
well as what Weinland stated in How to Improve Your Memory that memory is a
dynamic organization of ideas by which the individual interprets his environments
and lives. It means that memory is a direct result of action: of how the body
moves and responds to its environment which exists to help us do our daily
activities (1957: 135).
The coming of the dream seems to be an idea of how the life should be.
However, the rule of sameness controls him from accessing this kind of
information by applying pills. As the result, Jonas’s unconsciousness notices that
this feeling is pleasurable and he remembers upon waking and he wants to feel the
stirring again. As he has never experienced it before, Jonas’s thought seems to be
confused that it begins to search for the meaning of the dream.
…..as he rounded a corner on his bicycle, the dream slipped away from his thought…..he tried to grasp it back. But the feelings had disappeared. The stirrings were gone. (P. 39)
This experience is very meaningful for Jonas that the pleasure is already
there within human life. He does not want to lose this experienced feeling. So, he
tries to grasp it back in order to make further searching of its knowledge.
Obviously it is Jonas’s skill development to lead better recall as Roediger and
Goff stated that memory is a complex set of abilities that enable people to learn
and retain knowledge from experience. More meaningful experience will be better
remembered and imagery is better recorded to concrete one. Basically Jonas, as
well as human nature, has the capability of memorizing his experiences, especially
the interesting ones. It is the important thing that is almost complete at Jonas birth.
Obviously, when Jonas wants to have the dream back, it means that he wants to
have it in the real time of his life because of its pleasure and its new challenge.
Further, Jonas’s curiosity is answered through his assignment as the next
new Receiver. The whole memory of the past is burdened to him though actually,
at the very first time, he does not know that it is a burden. In his first day of his
training, The Giver said that memory has aged him. Having memory means that
he has the past and the future actually.
…”I have been the Receiver for a long time…I am not, actually, as old as I look,” he told Jonas. “This job has aged me. I know I look as if I should be scheduled for release very soon. But actually I have a good deal of time left (P. 75 - 76).
Jonas is assigned to bring the whole burden for the entire people of the
community. It will age him too because it is a must for Jonas to give the wisdom
Jonas has to have the information of the past and experiences them in order to
optimize human life. Jonas is given the whole memories to be re-experienced
again and again because it can be effective for action especially to give wisdom
for the entire community. It is like what The Giver does that he re-experiences the
whole past in order to avoid any mishandle problem in the community but it is
wisdom which came to them.
…my job is to transmit to you all the memories I have within me. Memories of the past.” …”it’s the memories of the whole world,” he said with a sigh. “Before you, before me, before the previous receiver, and the generations before him.”….”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.”(P. 77-78).
In the beginning of his training, Jonas felt that memories are pleasures. He
recognizes new things like speed, clear air, total silence, feeling of balance, and
excitement and peace.
…he was free to enjoy the breathless glee that overwhelmed him: the speed, the clear air, the total silence, the feeling of balance, and excitement and peace…not wanting the exhilarating ride to end.
…”It was exhausting. But you know, even transmitting that tiny memory to you-I think it lightened me just a little.”(P. 82).
Those pleasurable things have been never known before. They are the various
kinds of how wisdom comes to make up the whole life for the community.
Enjoying the speed, the clear air, the total silence, the feeling of balance,
excitement and peace means that Jonas enables to gain the sense of smell, taste,
sight, and hearing. They support Jonas’s maturing process in which sensory and
Jonas, surely, will gain more memory in which colors can be seen as
Jonas’s capacity to see the beyond. However Jonas does not know it yet that he
has this kind of capacity. He feels that the memory of riding on the sled is excited
him even it comes to his dream.
“When I gave you the memory yesterday, the first one, the ride on the sled, did you look around?” Jonas nodded…”I dreamed it last night, too.” …”I’m right, then,” The Giver said. “You’re beginning to see the color red – I see all of them. All the colors.”
“Will I?”
“Of course. When you receive the memories. You have the capacity to see the beyond. You’ll gain wisdom, then, along with the colors. And lots more.” (P. 92-95)
The dream that comes to him is a way of how Jonas memorizes the incidence. The
mystifying things that Jonas experiences during the incidence stimulates him to
search what has actually been there. It means that the memory of riding on the
sled is interesting for Jonas. As an interesting experience is the effective one to be
recalled, it is sure that the memory will develop Jonas’s capacity to see all colors
as what The Giver has. More, as The Giver tells that Jonas will gain wisdom along
with the colors, it will be surely interesting for Jonas that he will be glad to have
more and more memories. The consequence is that there will be development in
Jonas’s capacities.
2. The Development of Jonas’s Capacity
Receiving memory from The Giver, Jonas experiences many things that no
one in the community does. As a boy with unique characteristics Jonas has a lot of
chances to deal with any kind of memories that the committee of elder
undoubtedly has selected Jonas as the new Receiver. One by one, memories
The development of his capacity can be seen in the statement below:
The Giver had chosen a startling and disturbing memory that day…he could hear the noises: the sharp crack of weapon- he perceived the word of
guns- and then shouts, and omens crashing thud as something fell, tearing branches from the trees…going closer, he watched them hack the tusks from a motionless elephant on the ground and haul them away, spattered with blood. He felt himself overwhelmed with a new perception of the color he knew as red. (P. 100).
When he receives memory of pain he can see that the elephant in the story which
The Giver transmits to him are bleeding. Jonas recognizes the color of that blood,
it is red. Jonas thinks that this memory is the terrible one.
Now he saw another elephant emerge from the place where it had stood hidden in the trees. Very slowly it walked to the mutilated body and looked down…it was a sound of rage and grief and it seemed never to end. He could still hear it when he opened his eyes and lay anguished on the bed where he received the memories. It continued to roar into his consciousness as he pedaled slowly home. (P. 101)
His memory about the elephant influences Jonas’s sense of pain. It is
supported by experience of another elephant with its sounds of rage and grief and
it seems never to end. Beside the pain that he has recognized from the memory
Jonas also knows that there are others community outsides there, with much kind
of colors, real elephants, trees, and his community is alike as The Giver explains
through a story of failed new Receiver long time ago.
“When the new receiver failed, the memories that she had received were released. They didn’t come back to me. They went…”
…They went to the place where memories once existed before receivers were created. Some place out there- “He gestured vaguely with his arm. ‘And then the people had access to them. Apparently that’s the way it was, once. Everyone had access to memories.”
If the memories of the failed new Receiver are released and they come back to the
place where the memories once existed before receiver created, so it is clear that
everyone has ever had access to memories. Jonas begins to imagine while he hears
The Giver’s Story. He knows that the work of memory is alike with computer as it
is said by his instructors in the school. However, it is simply theoretical that
Jonas’s instructors know their scientific fact for everyone is well trained for his
job. The Giver says about the whole life. Without memories life is meaningless.
The Giver flicked his hand as if brushing something aside. “Oh, your instructors are well trained. They know their scientific facts. Everyone is well trained for his job. It’s just that…without memories it’s all meaningless. (P. 105)
In order to know further about the meaning of memory The Giver let Jonas
experiencing a terrible feeling and finally the fire. Jonas perceives that it is
different condition that he can not control the speed but the steepness and its
speed take control from his hands. He recognizes that the feeling is not like the
first one when he enjoys the speed, the clear air, the total feeling o