In "The Giver," by Lois Lowry, there are a number of set and regular career assignments in Jonas' community. Some become nurturers, others are representatives in the department of justice, and others are engineers. Generally speaking, none of these careers are considered more or less valuable in the community; at the Ceremony of Twelve, the same amount of applause is given to a new fish hatchery assistant as to a teacher.
However, when a girl is announced as a new Birthmother at Jonas' Ceremony of Twelve, he remembers his mother saying that her position was one without honor. She would be taken care of for three years while she birthed children, and then would spend the rest of her career as a Laborer.
Jonas does not have the same opinion as his mother, and thinks that the new Birthmother, Inger, would do a good job. He thinks that the role of Birthmother is "an important job, if lacking in prestige."
This shows that certain positions may have more exposure or attention in the community, but any issue of inequality is a matter of personal opinion, not of the institutions themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment