The Path to Happiness by Elaine

The Path to Happiness by Elaine - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

 
     The Giver by Lois Lowry is a book that affected me very strongly when I read it the first time. I have re-read it over the years because the characters are so vivid, the setting so real, but mostly because the message is so meaningful. The setting is a society that first appears to be utopian, with the members of the community blissfully happy. When Jonas, the lead character, discovers what being released from the community truly means, we learn that their society is actually dystopian.
     At first, the world described in the novel does seem desirable. There is no pain and suffering, everyone is painstakingly polite, everything is controlled and safe and no one has to worry about being hungry or jobless. However, looking under the surface of all the perfection reveals a world that is anything but perfect. There are cooperative and nurturing family “units” but no love. When a child is born that does not meet certain standards of development, the child is “released”, which serves as a euphemism for a lethal injection. The members of the community believe a release to be a beautiful thing, in which the released person simply goes to a place called “Elsewhere”. They live blissfully ignorant, unaware that they are being lied to about this and many other events.
     It is a thought provoking story that carries a universal theme about choices. It is a dilemma we all face but on a much smaller scale and in a myriad of ways. We have the choice to stay comfortable and safe in our lives, or to take risks and veer out of our comfort zones. Both choices bring positive and negative consequences, but it can be argued that choosing to take the road less traveled has a much higher payoff. In Jonas’ case, if he chooses to leave the community, he gives up safety and security, but has the opportunity to experience a life of richness, vibrancy and fulfillment.
     The danger of making our own choices and taking risks is what stops many from living life to the fullest. Choice, love, adversity, and pleasure can be dangerous, but without them life has no meaning. Without choices, we have no purpose. Without purpose, what’s the point? We can’t know the outcomes of our decisions and this can be scary! It is usually easier to choose the safer path and err on the side of caution. Of course, this allows us to be reasonably happy and comfortable, but it also holds us back. Facing our fears can be overwhelming and frightening, but it could potentially bring more joy and success than we can imagine.