Hello!
Well, well, well, where have I been for the past two weeks?
Mostly studying for my Philosophy exam (eeek!)… some of my notes will come into play later on in this article.
Sidenote- did you know putting your study notes to music helps you memorize them? At least it helps me.
So I ended up singing “Plato thinks that matter and the material world is corruptible and not “ultimate reality”. For him, the “ultimate reality” is the immaterial world of the forms or ideals, which is changeless and incorruptible.” to the tune of Alex Warren’s “Carry You Home.” Now I’m never going to be able to hear that song again without remembering my study notes. 😂🤦🏻♀️
Anyway, on to the article…
Two weeks ago, my brother and I re-watched The Giver for the third or fourth time.
Last week, I finished reading The Giver for the second time.
There’s a reason that I have re-watched the movie more times than I have re-read the book.
Simply stated, this is the only movie that I will ever admit is better than the book.
Now, before you go up in arms against me, allow me to explain further. (And no, it’s not because Taylor Swift is in it. That is the only mistake that they made in the whole casting process. More about this later.)
My brother J.’s DVD copy of The Giver, and my brother C.’s book copy. I need my own copies of these. I should stop taking theirs. 😂
Book Synopsis:
Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce newchildren, who are assigned to appropriate family units. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. Everyone is the same. Except Jonas.
Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Gradually Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test—when he must try to save someone he loves—he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?
Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs.
My Notes:
There was a lot that I forgot about in this book… like I get that the scene in the House of the Old is supposed to show that these people are completely indifferent to stuff that would horrify us… but still! Was that scene so necessary?!
The scene where Jonas’ father kills the baby - awful, awful scene. It was difficult to read and even more difficult to watch (that’s one of the only scenes that I will skip when I watch the movie.)
However, it is a really excellent depiction of what abortion really is… killing babies.
I forgot that so much of the book is just Jonas thinking!
That final line: “From the place he has come, he thought he heard music. But perhaps it was only an echo.” Ack! That makes me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Okay. Now on to the movie.
Movie Synopsis:
Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) lives in a seemingly idyllic world of conformity and contentment. When he begins to spend time with The Giver (Jeff Bridges), an old man who is the sole keeper of the community's memories, Jonas discovers the dangerous truths of his community's secret past. Armed with the power of knowledge, Jonas realizes that he must escape from their world to protect himself and those he loves -- a challenge no one has ever completed successfully.
My Notes:
First off, amazing casting choices (aside from Taylor Swift 🙄). Brenton Thwaites just personifies Jonas so well! Jeff Bridges is so amazing in his role as well.
I honestly don’t mind that they made him a little older in the movie than he is in the book… it honestly makes more sense.
The video montages when Jonas is receiving memories from The Giver… they’re just chef’s kiss! 🤌🤩
Especially as he starts to see in color… those scenes are just SO well done and so beautiful!
Can I just say I absolutely hate the phrase “Precision of language,” and it’s all Katie Holmes’ fault.
The only mistake (as stated before) is that they cast Taylor Swift in the movie. Why did they do that?!? Sorry to all the “Swifties” out there… the casting choice here just makes no sense to me. In the book Rosemary is simply talked about… you never get a flashback. I have no idea why they felt the need to do that in the movie, but I do not approve, sorry.
The final scene - when it is cutting between prep for Fiona’s “release”, and Jonas passes the boundary of memory - and all the memories come rushing back- may be my all-time favorite movie scene. It was the first movie scene that made me cry and literally makes me cry every single time I watch it. It’s just that beautiful.
Some Philosophy Stuff:
The philosopher Rousseau says that we must be “forced to be free,” which means that in order to break the corruption and habits of a restrained society, everyone must be educated and ultimately coerced into a common mold.
Doesn’t this sound like the “Community” in The Giver? Where everyone is equal and there is no winners, no losers…
Quotes from the book that I liked:
“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”
“Things could change, Gabe," Jonas went on. "Things could be different. I don't know how, but there must be some way for things to be different.”
Quotes from the movie I liked:
“From the place behind me… I thought I heard singing. Perhaps it was only an echo. But it was enough. It would lead us all home.”
“We are living a life of shadows! A life of echoes!”
“Memories are not just about the past. You can change things. You can make things better.”
“Tomorrow, the only thing that changes is what we do. It doesn’t change who we are.”
Please Comment!! :)
Are there any movies that you think are better than the books?
What are they?
Happy Reading! 🍎📖
-Mia Grace ✨