Isolation In Lois Lowry's The Giver

Isolation is not very rare in terms of world history, many countries became isolationists to close down and focus on themselves for a set period of time. In literature, isolation is the state of being separated from other people, or a situation in which you do not have the support of other people, while this is true, Lois Lowry takes it further to create an isolated “utopia.” The idea of isolation of a society such as in The Giver can be received in different ways to the outside world, the Amish and North Korean citizens are examples of how isolationism is seen by both those of the community and those looking from afar. In the northeast of the United States of America and some parts of Canada, the Amish live a life of voluntary isolation.

Throughout The Giver, the process of being release is often used in both a good and bad sense. For example, the community celebrates when an older person is released but saddened when a newborn is. However, when a pilot miscalculates their route and flies over the community causing a small panic, Jonas records the fact that, “needless to say, he will be released” (Lowry 2). This small accident shows the fact of how isolated the community is as they are frightened of their own “military” of a single jet fighter. Later in the book we find out the true meaning of releasement. The horror becomes true to Jonas as seen by a release done by his father in this statement: “He killed it! My father killed it!” (Lowry 150). This treatment is very similar to that of torture and pain people in North Koreans face. Much like if you commit a crime in a society, you have the chance to be killed either by execution or overtime. However, the community may due such inhumane acts but much like those in the Amish community the everyday citizens live in comfort without worries. Each have their own jobs and high respect for their elders. Technology is advanced but most do not bother using it. In sum, The Giver has both aspects of Amish life and the lifestyle of North Korean people in more ways than