Essay on The Role of Family in The Giver

The Artificial Structure of the Family Unit

In Lois Lowry’s dystopian novel, the role of family in The Giver is fundamentally different from our traditional understanding. Instead of being built on love and biological heritage, the community constructs family units to ensure stability and Sameness. These units are artificial arrangements designed by the Committee of Elders to maintain social order. By examining the way these units are formed and maintained, it becomes clear that the community uses the family structure to control its citizens while stripping away the deep emotional bonds that define the human experience.

The formation of a family unit in this society is a clinical, state-mandated process. Adults do not choose their own partners based on attraction or shared interests. Instead, they must apply for a spouse and wait for the Elders to approve a match based on compatible personalities. Children are not born to their parents but are assigned to the unit after being produced by designated Birthmothers. Each unit is strictly limited to one male child and one female child. By removing biological ties and personal choice, the community ensures that loyalty remains with the state rather than with a private household. This structure shows that the role of family is to serve as a micro-managed building block of society, where every member has a pre-determined place.

Furthermore, the concept of love is entirely absent from these domestic arrangements. The community emphasizes a "precision of language" that discourages the use of words like love because they are considered meaningless or obsolete. When Jonas asks his parents if they love him, they reprimand him for his lack of clarity, suggesting that "enjoyment" or "pride" are more appropriate terms for their relationship. By suppressing deep feelings and biological impulses, such as the "Stirrings," the community prevents the intense attachments that often lead to conflict or favoritism. In this context, the role of family is to provide a stable environment for child-rearing without the unpredictable complications of genuine affection.