Euthanasia In The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry is a novel based on the idea of having a perfect society, although it displays qualities and signs of a dystopia. Jonas is the main character of the novel and he is a member of this “utopian society”. Jonas’ name is one from the bible, where he is sent by God to go against evil and those who are wicked. Jonas is given the role of Receiver in his community and along with his job, he faces pain and hardship. The role of the Receiver leads him to go through his hardships, persevere, become a better person, and therefore be the hero of his community. Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of memories that the Giver, currently holds. Unlike ordinary children, Jonas was chosen because he was special and experienced moments that were unexplainable. These moments were signs of foreshadowing that Jonas would eventually become the Receiver. "But when he

society. The idea of euthanasia is practiced and the government’s laws present the struggle of limited rights. “Euthanasia is act of causing or permitting the death of someone as a way to end the suffering of that individual” (“Euthanasia”). Euthanasia is used in the book, as either punishment for breaking the rules and release of the elderly, newborn, or anyone who asks for it. “Release of the elderly, which was a time of celebration for a life well and fully lived; and the release of a new child, which always brought a sense of what-could-we-have-done”(Lowry ). As the Receiver, Jonas is able to understand and recognize aspects of the “utopia” that are considered wrong and immoral. Jonas later learns that the term “release” is associated with death and people, like his own father, do not know any better or that what they are doing is not right. After learning that euthanasia is practiced in the society, Jonas does all he can to prevent it from happening to those he loves by leaving to free all the