SAINT JUDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL

High School English Department

ENGLISH I
Book Report: The Giver
S.Y. 2008- 2009

MY UTOPIA: SEVENTH HEAVEN

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for

English I

Submitted to:

Ms. Ma. Lourdes B. Desierto

English I Teacher

Submitted by:

Class Number 16
Archie Brian Tan
H.S. I-D Wisdom

October 2008

In this world where everything is a chance, is there still a place where one can be secured
from impairment, prejudice, fear and pain? There is. In Jonas world, everything is under control,
everything is at peace, and everything is perfect. Jonas society has established various rules
and regulations for every citizen to follow that promotes harmony and orderliness in the
community. Attention. A reminder that stirrings must be reported in order for treatment to take
place, the community speaker would announce. Stirrings are emotions, mainly about romantic
love and sexuality and cures are needed to suppress them. It is one of the numerous policies they
have to follow. Every citizen of the society knows what they are tasked to do what they can and
cannot do. One is reprimanded when he commits a mistake, or worse, is released from the
community. The people are almost always compliant; families share their dreams and feelings on
a daily basis to diffuse emotional build-up. But, not everything is oh so wonderful and great
because behind the utopia they think they live in lies secrets that are yet to be untold. There are
no choices. Everyone is assigned a role in the community. Everything is prepared for them.
Children who reach the age of twelve are assigned with tasks that match their capabilities and
wants. They are trained until they become professionals. No one can have a biological child for
there are birthmothers that provide them with infants to take care of. The Elders of the
community are the ones who select and match couples according to their personalities and
compatibilities without having them to choose for themselves. It is absurd and unethical for them
to say the word love. For them, love seems to be nil and should not be uttered. The old are
separated from their family units and housed in a center where they are taken care of while their
adopted children continue to do their assigned tasks and have their own families leaving their
aging foster parents until released. When birthmothers give birth to identical twins, the one with
lesser weight is released. Babies showing unusual behavior are also released. Contrary to the

knowledge of the inhabitants, release is not the act of sending a person into another nearby
community similar to theirs; rather it is a grave system of killing called euthanasia. There are no
colors, climate, hills, animals and a whole lot more in the Jonas world. All of these are in the
memories, that Jonas received, that once existed before their present time called Sameness.
Perfect it may seem but deceit and fraud govern the community without anyone fortunate enough
to comprehend what was happening.

I have always dreamed of a world away from malevolence, condemnation, wickedness

and violence, a place where I can freely express myself in every way that I can without minding
the watchful and criticizing eyes of others. I want my world to have an indispensable reputation
where pleasure resides, healthy relationships grow and dreams happen. There would be laws to
obey but not to the extent of having the citizens suffer. These are for the sake of sustaining an
organized and serene society. Chances are everywhere and it is their choice whether to grab that
opportunity or not. It is from these choices they make that they learn to think critically and
analyze things carefully. From these wrong decisions they commit do they find knowledge and
wisdom to grow as a better individual. As God created human beings, feelings and emotions are
already present in them and can never be taken away. Everyone has the right to feel the joy and
warmth love brings. The true spirit of love can be shown from ones words and deeds towards his
fellowmen. An honest, responsible, reliable and wise leader will be there to rule and preside over
the society. The Chief will serve as a guidance, role model and teacher to his people, an angel
who is willing to be of service and commitment for the benefit and progress of others. There are
no crimes for everyone is contented and satisfied in what they have and do not ask nor need for
more. They have families beside them to console, support, defend and sustain them in times of

trouble and injury. Colors, animals, climate, different land forms and others will also be present
in my dream utopia. Vibrant colors that give life to dull surroundings, animals that dwell and
procreate in the different land forms; climate changes that bring warmth and shiver to the
residents are some essential elements in preserving life and nature. This is a world that seems to
be impossible, where everyone is equal, notwithstanding ones physical appearance, status in life
and capabilities. It is a seductive world where everyone is tempted to stay forever.

How we all wish that life is a fairy tale, with a pinch of pixie dust, a wave of magic wand
and a touch on a magic lamp, everything can be perfect! But, alas! Reality is not fantasy; rather it
is cruel and unfair. But, it is on how you face and treat it that makes your life easy or difficult to
handle. Living in a utopia or a perfect world is far from realism. With all these problems the
Earth is facing poverty, pollution, corruption, economic and political crises, is there still a
reason for all of us to hope for a brighter future? Stay strong. Have faith. Believe in the Almighty
Creator that He may send us the Holy Spirit to show and lead us to the lives we dream of. It is
our choice on how we want to live our lives, the choice of doing what is righteous or evil. We,
therefore, should use our weapons which are our magical brains, skills and hearts that let us
think, help, evaluate, value and love. Having a good frame of mind and heart only reveals that
goodness will always triumph over evil. It may not be now, but maybe in the future generations.
It is the duty of every citizen of the world our responsibility you and I to save our planet
from massive destruction from injustice, poverty, cruelty, immorality and ache. Who knows? In
this world where we expect the unexpected give birth to a magical place that will give hope to
every person to believe and do what they think is right, a place Id like to call Seventh Heaven.