Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Giver (5)
Lois Lowry helps create an alternate world by having the community use words in a special way. Though that world stresses what it calls "precision of language," in fact it is built upon language that is not precise but deliberately clouds meaning. What is the danger of such misleading language? Is there anything good about using language in this way?
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The danger of this language is that you NEVER get the real emotion or meaning comming out of the words. For instance in chapter 16 page 127 of The Giver by Lois Lowry Jonas asks his parents "Do you love me?" and they respond laughing "Jonas. You, of all people. Precision of language please!" the parents don't even know the meaning of love! Its like the whole town is brain washed and colorblind! How could you be a parent without loving your kids?!?
ReplyDelete-Taylor R.
And there is only one thing i can think about that is good about this language: no rudeness. All the words that could hurt someone are not in their vocabulary. otherwise I don't see the point of "The precision of language" at all.
ReplyDelete-Taylor R.
I agree with Taylor R. With precision of language there woldn't be any emotion, it's basically just grammar to the extreme. No hurtful words or sentences would meen that there wouldn't be any fights of war. But in the evening, when the family units come together to share how they felt that day, they wouldn't be able to share their strongest feelings, which they should be able too.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with Taylor, The precision of language is a silly thing. Love and hate are strong words used in our community often. Those words, when used in Jonas's community, are awarded with a slap on the wrist. In our society, Love is awarded with compassion. While hate is still discouraged, it is used freely among the community.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree! How could you not love your kids? Today we never ask "Mom, do you enjoy me?" as jonas's dad suggested. And why do you think they are so strict with their language? For example, why do they have to say we thank you for your childhood at every ceremony?
ReplyDeleteResponding to what Alexa said, I disagree. I think that the parents do love their children, but also I remembered from the book that the only person that has feelings is the Receiver. There is a chance that Jonas' parents love him, but they don't have the right word to say. I agree with Alexa that you would never ask "Mom,do you enjoy me?" Maybe if their society was a little less perfect, people would still have feelings.
ReplyDeleteReturning Alexa B.'s question: I have no idea as well. Tis community is so bland. The peculliar 'precicion of language' mutes and blocks all meaning of words,emotions, and normal talking. But when Jonas started to see color, the whole picture of the community in my imagination shattered-it stumped me. This community has no color, no meaning, and no emotion.
ReplyDelete-Taylor R.
I agree with Taylor R. that the only good thing is no rudeness. With no rudeness then you don't have to worry about insulting someone and maybe start a war (though I doubt that would happen) and you would be safer. But then there would be no emotion which would stink and that goes back to the "sameness". Which I do not like.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Taylor R., If I was in Jonas's situation and knew about love when not many others did I would feel very upset if I had asked my parents if they loved me and they instead said "I really enjoy you." I don't want to be enjoyed, I want to be loved by my family and friends. Everything would be different if there wasn't love. Love is just another very special word to express your feelings for someone or something.
ReplyDeleteAbby M.
I totally agree with Taylor. The only postitve result I see in the "Precision of Language". Is there is no "Rudeness". Words that could hurt people, are not used so no feelings are hurt.
ReplyDeleteI agree with agasthi on some conditions but I think that it
ReplyDeleteis good to be able to express your fellings with jumbled up words
-In response to Alexa,
ReplyDeleteYour right. We never ask our parents "Do you enjoy me?" We never even really need to ask them "Do you love me?" They usually sont stop telling you they do. I guess they might say thank you for your childhood because thats the only way they can really show their feelings. But really why must they be so strict with their language? Why cant they just ask what they really ment instead of just giving them what they accidently asked for if its so painful? Like what happened to asher. He had ment to ask for a snack but he said "I want my smack!" So he got what he had asked for and they had discribed it as extremely painful.
I agree also and think that it is not a good idea to have "Precision of Language." But, at the same time it is a good thing so that you have to be correct so people can't misjudge your words and think the opposite of you.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I agree with Taylor. Not having the word love in your your vocabulary would be a totally different life than what people are used to. Drawing from my own life, I don't think my family would be the same with out the word love.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Taylor R. with precision of language there is absolutely no emotion in words or thoughts. Although it is extremely hard to express your feelings in precision of language there would also be no way to direct a mean comment at someone. You would have no emotion in your sentence therefore it would come off ordinary instead of hurtful.
ReplyDeletePrecision of language is literal, love is an abstract concept. The people in this community think literally precision of language does not allow for the abstract concepts such as love. I love my parents but can I tell you how, no I just know what I feel. I believe Jonas parents can't love him because they think literally without emotion.
Returning Kate P.'s last comment, i don't like the 'sameness' either. It's like a puzzle with no color,or different peices that come together to make a perfect puzzle, they are bland squares that have no color, individuallity or any sense of what their community really is.
ReplyDelete-Taylor R.