Courage In The Giver

One may define courage as approaching danger without fear. The idea of courage is a very beneficial element in literature. In almost every story, fiction and nonfiction alike, characters must face a challenge and possess courage to succeed with overcoming adversity. As an example, Jonas, the main character in Lois Lowry’s The Giver has to show courage to create change in his community. Furthermore, in Todd Strasser’s The Wave, Laurie, the protagonist, must display courage to stand up against a school of people so she can fight for her beliefs. Granted that, at times courage might be difficult to possess, a person’s courage can be shown from his or her actions. In The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas, the protagonist, possesses courage. For example,

One way in which she shows courage is she does not go to the wave rally. Laurie becomes aggravated by her friends taking this so called “wave” idea seriously. Laurie disagrees with her friends about how the wave is supposed to help them, instead of hurt them. Laurie even says to David, “You’re so intent on creating some kind of utopian wave society full of equal people that you don’t see it at all” (Strasser 87). This is courageous because not only does Laurie refuse to go to the wave rally, she also breaks up with her boyfriend to prove her point. She sees the wave’s impact for what it really is, and she stands up against her boyfriend, which takes courage. Laurie also shows courage by purposely writing an anti-wave article in the school newspaper. Laurie and the Grape Vine staff are planning to write the anti wave article, so it can make people aware of the long term negative effects that the wave places upon people. In a conversation with her best friend, Laurie states,“Amy, I’m serious. The wave is hurting people. And everyone’s going along with it like a flock of sheep.” (Strasser ). This is courageous because not only does Laurie stand up to Amy and try to tell her the wave is terrible, she also publishes an anti wave article. This is all done even though she knows an immense horde of students dislike her because of it. In conclusion, Laurie from The Wave, by Todd Strasser, is a prime example of