Introducing The Giver
 
&#8220;Once he had yearned for choice. Then, when he had had a choice, he had made the wrong one&#8230;And now he was starving.&#8221;
What is choice worth?
Most of us take for granted that the option to choose, even the freedom to make mistakes, is quintessential to happiness.  But how much grief and anxiety results from this luxury of self-direction and autonomy&#8230; from the pain of uncertainty and regret?  Who among us has not at some point turned to elders, mentors, gods — to anyone — who might shoulder some of the burden in determining the correct course, or offer some clarity on the &#8220;right&#8221; thing to do?  Contrary to our wishes, the answers are rarely straight-forward: should we stick to the reliable path or risk more for the possibility of reward?  Worst of all, we must ask ourselves when our path has been carved into the immutable tablet of time: have we made the right choice?
Jonas&#8217; world is a world of security: there is no pain of choice or burden of responsibility.  The success of each individual is a community endeavor, all basic needs are provided for, and everyone is allotted the same.  There is no political, religious, or cultural division, no controversy over the provenance or hierarchy of authority, and no criticism in the proper execution of a task.  Everything, from raising a child to performing a work function, has been predetermined and clearly defined by a select committee specialized for the purpose. There is hardly an awkward moment, because anything which might offend is universally avoided and inadvertent indiscretions have protocols in place to swiftly acknowledge, absolve, and correct the behavior.  Punishments are proportionate to the nature and frequency of the crime, and structures are in place to ensure both the physical and mental well-being of citizens.  Doors are never locked.  In so many ways, Jonas&#8217; world is utopian.
But in the absence of drama, there is limited growth — both personal and interpersonal. There is no prospect for serious individual error and subsequent reflection, engendering deeper self-knowledge and understanding.  No opportunity for significant adversity with the potential to unlock ground-breaking innovation or uncommon insight. Bonds do not strengthen through mirrored trauma or periods of weathered strife, or evolve with incremental vulnerability or shared sacrifice.  Experiences are orderly, predictable and consistent, free from major upsets or surprises, and emotions are shallow and safe.
Jonas has never questioned any of this because it is all he has ever known.  But the Ceremony of 12 is approaching, and Jonas is experiencing an unusual degree of trepidation about where he is to be assigned his life&#8217;s work.  Unlike his peers, he seems to have no preeminent passions or stand-out skills&#8230; nothing to distinguish him in any particular occupation.  Will the Committee know better than he does about where he belongs and how he is best suited to contribute and flourish?
The answer will alter Jonas&#8217; world forever, bringing horrors and raptures like none in his community have ever known.  Never again will he savor the pleasure of certainty, the implicit trust that the world is in proper order and all is as it should be.  Jonas will inherit the truth which preserves that illusion, irreversibly separating him from everyone he knows; from those he grew up with to the parents who raised him.  And then he&#8217;ll be faced with the greatest challenge anyone in his community has known for generations: he&#8217;ll have to decide what happens next.
-Jordan Leigh 
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