The Giver
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Why are memories transmitted by putting a hand on the Receiver's back?
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Homophobia, most likely.
You're not being serious, are you?! What does that mean?
No, I'm not being serious.I really hated that book, but to answer your question, it's probably a little too intimate by the standards in that messed up society.
Now that you asked I'm really curious about it ! I never thought of it before... Maybe it would be just too weird like to meet an old man that is going to teach what you will do for living and then you have to let him get into your heart or head.... It would be more sentimental and all of those things but I guess I would be really scared if that happened to me, though sure I would be scared if he started touching my shoulders blade to give me the humanity's lost memories.... So I guess I gave you no answer, sorry
Ahaha! I don't know if there really is an answer to it. I agree with you that maybe passing the memory with a hand on the heart would probably have sounded rather cheesy!I thought the idea may be that memories belong to the past and therefore they are supposed to reach you from somewhere behind... I don't know!!
Like its soooo deep that u have to reach the other side of the heart ! hahahhahaa ( okay not exactly the other side but quite)
Damn, now you've really got me thinking about this. Since the memories are stored in the brain, the head would make more sense here (scientifically), but since the emotions come through as well as the memory itself, maybe the heart would be more appropriate. Weird.
Ahah! I decided I wanted to try and have an answer from Lowry herself. I've just sent her an email via her blog. If she replies I'll tell you immediately!
Here is my new theory! In the book there is this idea of the memories as a burden, an overwhelming awareness which is difficult to live with, so maybe they are transmitted through the back like items in an imaginary backpack which will weigh more and more on Jonas's shoulders.
That actually sounds like a good theory. It would make since because doesn't the giver feel like he's a little lighter and can carry himself more, since he doesn't need to carry all the memories and emotions be himself anymore.
Well, (why is this so important?) it is kind of like shaking hands. Why do we do that. Or a hug. It is just something that we have been doing for back and back and back. (Did you see what I did there:)
Skriggs wrote: "Well, (why is this so important?) it is kind of like shaking hands. Why do we do that. Or a hug. It is just something that we have been doing for back and back and back. (Did you see what I did the..." I see your point...
I am happy to announce that we have an answer from Lois Lowry herself! Here is what she wrote in reply to my email:"That is an interesting question! I think, actually, that the heart is probably equidistant from the back or the front! But I wasn't thinking about that when I wrote the book. In the years since its publication 20+ years ago, some people have been concerned about the "touching" and the filmmakers who made the movie had The Giver hold the boy's hands.
I have no ide, to be honest, why I made that choice. I do have fond memories from my childhood of my mother rubbing my back gently. It does seem a loving kind of touch. But an author makes decisions usually just by instinct, without other-thinking."
Wow.... I was thinking it would have such a deep meaning ... But anyway its not a bad reason
I think the giver just likes touching Jonas's back
The spine is connected to the brain in a very complex yet basic way , the fluids in the spine can affect mood, behavior, thoughts , etc. Not to mention basic movements etc.
The pineal gland is also in the brain so maybe they were referencing some indian mysticism where the powers in the spine are transferred into the brain, the pineal gland is associated with abstract thought, and by one philosopher, to the human soul. I think it might have been an occult thing subtly slipped in there . But ....... yeah .
The pineal gland is also in the brain so maybe they were referencing some indian mysticism where the powers in the spine are transferred into the brain, the pineal gland is associated with abstract thought, and by one philosopher, to the human soul. I think it might have been an occult thing subtly slipped in there . But ....... yeah .
Its interesting because in the book the Giver puts his hands on Jonas's back to transmit memories, but in the movie, they just grab one another's forearms. Super strange!!!
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I thought the head or the chest where the heart is would have been better choices, they are more like the natural location of memories... why the back?