The Giver-Sameness

In Jonas’ Community everyone sees black and white and there are no visible distinct characteristics that set one person apart from another. The community practices this sort of sameness so that no one feels judged or different. Although it is unrecognizable beneath the shadows of the black and white, there are distinct traits like colored skin, hair, and eyes; such as Jonas’ eyes or Fiona’s hair that set them apart. When Jonas first began to see color he didn’t know how to comprehend it and when the giver was explaining part of seeing color to him he said “We’ve never completely mastered sameness. I suppose the genetic scientists are still hard at work trying to work the kinks out. Hair like Fiona’s must drive them crazy.” (94) The giver points out here that they are trying to modify the traits of the children that are born, but have not yet mastered that, nor have they mastered the art of sameness.