The Giver Milestones

In Chapter 6 of The Giver by Lois Lowry, the milestones that the community experiences contributes to the pursuit of perfection and equality. The Choosing of Assignments, learning correct language, and starting volunteer hours, are just some examples. Many of these milestones take place in the Ceremony of December. This is when the children of each year are given something new, which only that year receives.

One ceremony is the Ceremony of Twelve. An assignment is given and the children are not being honored for their similarities this time. Instead, ‘’’We honor your differences. They have determined your futures’ ...She mentioned how there was one who had singular skills at caretaking, another who loved new children, one with unusual

If a child messes up like“Poor asher, who always talked too fast and mixed up words, even as a toddler,” (Lowry 55) they can receive a punishment like a smack. “ He one day said ‘smack’ instead of ‘snack’ as he stood waiting in line,” (Lowry 55) and he got what he asked for. An instructor,who teaches the children, ensures that no mistakes are made while teaching how to speak. Teaching them the difference between proper and improper language will justify the community reaching for perfection. If a child can not say a word correctly, like Asher, a punishment is given. This is the community’s way of making sure there is no confusion, or uncertainty. When Asher mixed up his words of “smack” and “snack” the kids quickly told him it was incorrect emphasizing the fact that kids must have perfect language. To make sure everyone is equal the instructors teach the same language, to establish a community that can talk to everyone. When the kids corrected Asher this shows that the kids understand a mistake. If new languages were taught then the community would not be able to understand each other and that appears unfair. Also, the same punishments are received when a mistake is made so no kid is treated differently than the others in the learning