The society and economy of The Giver
is basically an oligarchy. Everything is controlled by a committee of Elders. The
rules have been historically made by the Elders. There is no money. Each person’s
needs are determined by the committee, and everything a person needs is delivered.
People do work, but they do not get paid. Jobs are assigned by committee when a child
turns 12, and training begins then. Food is commonly held, and no one is allowed to
hoard. In fact, Jonas is reprimanded for taking home an apple instead of eating it or
leaving it in the communal area.
The society has strict
rules that are expectedly to be perfectly obeyed. Anyone who breaks a rule three times
is “Released,” a euphemism for a lethal injection. Children are trained from an early
age in precision of language, which means telling the truth and not offending
anyone.
Families are formed artificially, for the purpose
of raising children. Each family one boy and one girl, but they are not related. A
family is formed when two adults apply for partners and are paired by committee. Then
they apply for children, one at a time. After the children are old enough they go off
to live on their own and the family unit is dissolved.
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