The Giver- Chapter 3 by Mr. Galvan

#2

2018-01-25 17:59:37 UTC

If I were to be watched, as Jonas is, I would feel uncomfortable. I believe I would feel uncomfortable because I could never be myself, which is not a comfortable feeling. For instance, in reality, you make mistakes cause we're humans, so if we're going to be watched all the time, it's just an instinct to feel like not making a mistake. Although, I would be living in a Utopian community, so it might be natural not to make a mistake in the first place, but based on my actual life, I would feel uncomfortable. Not only would I feel to be uncomfortable, but also imprisoned. I would feel imprisoned because it's like a guard at the prison, watching me. I am not free to be myself, since it kind of reflects on my future. When I'm watched, like in prison, and you do something wrong, the speakers don't say specifically you, but you know they're speaking of you. As you can see, this is why I would feel imprisoned and uncomfortable.

#4

2018-01-25 18:25:52 UTC

If I were to be watched all the time I would feel like I cant make a single mistake. Since in the community every action you make effect your career from years 12 and up, I do not want to end up with a job I don't like based on what I do. Another reason why I would not want to be watched is it is creepy and you feel like you have to be perfect and not do anything wrong when someone is watching you. Although in my society I am basically being or could be watched by anyone, it does not necessarily effect my career unlike the community in which Jonas lives in. This is how I would feel if I was watched all the time.

#1

2018-01-25 18:27:55 UTC

In Jonas' community the government controls everything, they decide if a person does something wrong or violates the rule the government finds out. They find out every little detail, but how? The elders are always watching and the entire community, the have tons of camera that you don't know are there. I feel that the government monitoring you to a point wouldn't be bad. in this case that's not what happens. I would feel very uncomfortable because you don't have any privacy. However, if I were to have grown up in this world it wouldn't be so bad, everyone would be used to this. This is what I think about always being watched.

#2 to #4

2018-01-25 18:42:16 UTC

I agree with you because, since the people are always watching, you don't want anything to affect your career, so you feel like you don't want to make a mistake. I believe this is an instinct people have in our community because normally when we are being watched by cameras, you wouldn't want to do anything wrong, because you'll get in trouble. This is why I agree with you #4. (I put almost the exact same thing)

#6

2018-01-25 19:39:06 UTC

If I were in Jonas' society, and were being watched similar to him, I wouldn't feel particularly uncomfortable or awkward in any way. Having been grown up in Jonas' society, I would be aware that at the age of 11 it is common to be watched frequently for the Committee of Elders decision for the Ceremony of Twelves. And I believe that I would be eager for the ceremony, therefore looking forward to being watched and hoping the Elders would notice me and bestow my desired career upon me. Another reason why I would feel comfortable being watched is because it would give me a sense of security because if I was always being watched, then every one else is also being watched. This would make me feel safe because, if criminals and bandits (I am not sure if they exist Jonas' world) were being watched, then law reinforcements would be able to prevent dangerous situations from happening. So, I would be comfortable with people watching me and others, and would be grateful for their service of stocking us.

#23

2018-01-25 19:54:47 UTC

If I was being watched the way Jonas is, I would be really uncomfortable.The reason why I would feel uncomfortable, is because I would have to be careful with what I do. Also, it's like

#6 to #4

2018-01-25 20:00:30 UTC

I agree

#13

2018-01-25 23:19:45 UTC

If I were to be watched all the time the way Jonas' is, I would feel safe but feel scared at the same time. The reason I feel safe is because if I somehow get into a fight or something related to this, the people watching (Elders) could get the law enforcement to stop it. To summarize, it could help me in situations where law enforcement could vastly help stop the situation safely. Although it ensures safety at all times, it comes with a creepy flaw. The fact that someone is always watching you doesn't make you just worried and creeped out, but also very frightened to make one mistake. It's basically you have to act perfectly no matter what, and you can't change that fact as the Elders are always watching. It also ruins the definition of privacy as, well, you get NONE. This is what I think about the Elders watching.

#1 (Correction to the second to last sentence)

2018-01-25 23:29:06 UTC

If I grew up in Jonas' society it wouldn't be so bad because we'd all be used to it.

#6 to #4 Full

2018-01-25 23:51:58 UTC

I agree with #4 , but I would like to add on how I feel that when I am being watched I feel similar to you and it makes me nervous that I am going to mess up or make a mistake and I would also feel pressured to always be perfect like #4 said. I also find your perspective enlightening, because I wouldn't have thought to feel that way but now that you bring it up I agree . To conclude, if I were in Jonas' community I would also feel pressured to be perfect, like #4.

#1 to #6

2018-01-26 00:06:50 UTC

I agree that it would be uncomfortable knowing that your always being watched, but we're supposed look at it in the perspective of one of the characters. This would be different because you've grown up in a perfect society, always being watched. However looking at it through our perspective it would be awkward.

#23 (renewed)

2018-01-26 00:23:50 UTC

If I was being watched all the time, they way Jonas is, I would feel, like it's nerve racking, and have a felling of self consciousness. One reason, I would feel like it's very nerve racking, is because everyone seems to be watching. If you think about it it's kind of creepy, it's like they're stalking you. Always watching and knowing what you do. Just thinking about it gives me the chills, having someone watch you 24/7, and if you're like me, I don't like being watched. When I'm around friends sure it's fine because they're there for me, but being alone and being watched, that's a different story. It just makes me very nervous and uncomfortable. Another feeling I have about being watched, is that I would be self conscious. I would feel this way, because if someone is watching me, I would feel like, there is absolutely no room for mistakes. I would have to do everything perfectly. Also, I would be conscious with the things I do and say. If I say or do something wrong, and someone knew, I would of wished I hadn't said or done it. In conclusion, these are my reasons why I would feel like it's nerve racking and be self conscious.

#18

2018-01-26 00:52:40 UTC

If I was being watched all the time, the way Jonas is, I would be self conscious to every little thing that I do. This means that I would be immensely cautious in my actions. In my mind, I would probably tell myself actions have consequences constantly. I would also feel uncomfortable knowing that someone is there watching like how some people feel about the Mona Lisa. I'd be uneasy knowing that someone was judging me due to my actions. On the other hand, I would feel safe and secure acknowledging the fact that people are watching me. If someone goes up to me to cause harm, I know there are others who can help me in this situation. As you can see, if I was being watched all the time the way Jonas is, I would feel self conscious, uncomfortable, and safe.

#18 to #1

2018-01-26 01:09:31 UTC

I agree with this statement because when you live with something your whole life, then you wouldn't feel nervous and troubled. Instead, you might feel guarded, or even joyful. On the other hand, if you were to meet something unusual for the first time, you are most likely to feel nervous, frightened, and worried.

#29

2018-01-26 01:14:24 UTC

If I was being watched like how Jonas is, I would feel both uncomfortable and annoyed. To start off, being watched all the time can be an invasion of privacy. Just imagine some person spying on you as you are reaching to get some toilet paper in the bathroom. Would you mind if someone did it to you? I would. To add on, why would somebody need to see every second of your life? Sure, they would have to spy on yo for awhile for the Ceremony of Twelve, but can't they already see in your volunteer hours and records that you are a-okay for an Assignment? I would not need to worry about bandits and burglars getting inside of our house, because all of us are behaved equally. Last but not least, I would get a funny feeling down my spine knowing that somebody is watching me. What if I do something wrong by accident? What if i mess up while somebody is spying on me? Would this go onto my reputation? These questions will float in my mind, knowing that somebody will always keep an eye on me no matter what. As you can see, this is how I will feel if I was being watched all the time like Jonas. Do I feel good? Not so much.

#18 to #6

2018-01-26 01:17:35 UTC

I agree with this statement, but being watched also brings up your conscious when someone watches you. The committee of Elders has power and authority, much like a principle of a school (to a student's perspective). They can walk in your classroom and watch while you work. If the principle of our school was watching me in particular, I would start to feel uneasy, trying not to let them think badly of me.

#23 to #13

2018-01-26 01:21:32 UTC

I agree with you #13, because there are some situations where you are being watched and you're fine with it. An example would be at school, people like the teachers, principal, and yard-duties keep an eye on us to insure we are following the rules, and can some-what make us feel same. However, you can be watched it a situation, that being watched freaks you out. For example, you can be at the park alone, and there would be someone watching you. In this situation, you probably would be creeped out about them just casually watching you. To conclude, these are the reasons why I agree with #13.

Comment for #18 by #29

2018-01-26 01:57:07 UTC

I love how you added wonderful examples in your response. I agree with how you feel except for you feeling safe. That is not your fault. We just have different opinions about certain things. Overall, you have a good constructed text. From your Mona Lisa example to your feeling of self-consciousness, it is a well-written answer above and beyond.

#27

2018-01-26 02:44:15 UTC

If I was being watched all the time in Jonas's society, I would feel the need to impress the spectators, not so much feel uncomfortable. For starters, I would know exactly why they were watching me, which would be to figure out what would be my future Assignment. If I was raised in Jonas's society, I wouldn't be at all worried about it, because if you lived in that society you would know that they are observing my interests, not particularly "watching" me. I would also know that they observed all the other Elevens as well, so it's not like they'd be only targeting me. In addition, I would also feel that I would really feel the need to strive under the Elders' watch. Since I would know why they were watching me, I would make sure to put forth my best effort in every action I do. I can infer that I would know what career I would want, thus I would make sure that every time the Elders were observing me, I would make sure to be either volunteering at my dream Assignment, or using my spare time to do something involving it. In summary, this is why I would feel the need to impress, and why I wouldn't be uncomfortable while being watched frequently, like Jonas is.

#16

2018-01-26 03:03:39 UTC

(I have two responses one response from my point of view in reality, and one in the impression that I was raised in Jonas' society)

(Point Of View in reality)
If I was being watched all the time like Jonas I would feel uneasy and self conscious. I would feel uneasy because of the pressure that someone is always watching is too heavy on my shoulders. Like what #27 said I would feel the need to impress the spectators (The Elders) because that quite literally is deciding my life with just my actions. Also, with what #18 said I would always feel that my actions have consequences. However, already in day to day life in reality someone is most likely monitoring your actions, but won't really care what you do as long as you aren't doing something bad. (e.g. committing a crime, or breaking the rules).
(Point Of View Raised In Jonas' Society)
If I was being watched all the time like Jonas I would feel safe, and anxious, but not uncomfortable. I would safe because it would mean if someone were to harm me (physically or emotionally) the spectators would be able to protect me and reprimand the offender. I would feel anxious because the people who would be watching me have a lot of authority over basically everything. They decide what my life Assignment is, they can change rules, and most importantly release me. It's kind of like when a principal watches you work. You would want to be on your best behavior and not want them to think lowly of you. Imagine, having to feel that way all the time from the time you were born to the day you die. Pretty scary right? I wouldn't feel though uncomfortable because being raised in this type of Utopian society it would fairly normal to have all of your actions be observed.

#8

2018-01-26 03:06:17 UTC

If I was being watched, as Jonas and everybody else in his community are, I would feel uncomfortable and self - conscious about everything I do. If I lived in Jonas' society, I would be watched all the time while out in public, and I would have to be perfect in my in my behavior and in school, knowing that the Elders would always be watching me and judging me. This is especially shown in the book when Jonas remembers when he and Asher were playing with an apple during recreation period, and when Jonas took the apple home, people were able to see, proof that they were all being watched 24/7. This is why I would feel self - conscious if I was being watched all the time. I would also feel uncomfortable always being under surveillance because you never know when you're being watched or when you are doing something wrong as the Elders are observing you. These are the reasons for which I would feel uncomfortable and self - conscious if I was always being watched.

#13 to #29

2018-01-26 03:08:20 UTC

I agree with you, but I would like to add on. I also do think that the fact of someone always watching you is very weird. As your (very funny) example shows how the "I will always be watching" thing sound creepy, more like a stalker would do. Also, I too ask do they really need to watch EVERY SINGLE SECOND? I mean come on! Give us privacy!

#27 to #2

2018-01-26 03:17:46 UTC

I politely disagree with you because during the time the Elders are watching you, that is the time you are supposed to be yourself. It enables you a chance to show them what you want to do in your future, and you do that by being who you are. The Elders are watching you because they want you to have an Assignment that you would be got at and hopefully enjoy. If you're not yourself in front of them, then they may give you an Assignment that you didn't want because that was the person that they saw when they were observing you. And yes, humans can make mistakes under pressure, but if you show who you truly are, you'll probably not even notice or make a mistake when they are watching you because you will just be yourself.

Comment from #16 to #13

2018-01-26 03:28:08 UTC

I agree with you! You made very good points about being able to feel safe in these conditions, but feeling very uneasy about it. You really conveyed your emotions through your response and you also made a very clear statement on your point of view on the question. Good job!

#20

2018-01-26 03:30:42 UTC

If I was being watched like Jonas I would feel safe, but at the same time I would also feel uneasy. I would be self aware at all times of the things I do or say. For example, what if I say something wrong that might mock the way the society is. However, as time would go on I would get used to it like many of the other people. That still makes me ask..... WHY DO THEY NEED TO BE WACTHING US EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THE DAY!? I mean sure it is a utopian society, but still give us a little bit of privacy. Not only that, but it just feels wrong. Sort of like if someone was stalking you. I believe that the reason the elders are watching you is to see what you like and hat you are good at. This would be the perfect time to impress them with my knowledge. This is sort of like in the hunger games where the game makers are watching Cattiness and all of the other children. Both of these things are sort of like your casting call. In summary, I believe that if I was being watched I would feel uneasy, but still would try to impress the Elders watching me.

#9

2018-01-26 04:16:26 UTC

If I was being watched like Jonas I would feel annoyed but also eager to please the Elders. I would know they are constantly observing me and my actions would determine my future job assignment. I think it would bother me knowing that they are judging me and if I made a mistake it could affect my future job assignment. What if the apple incident resulted in Jonas not getting a job he truly hoped to get in his future? That would be sad.

#8 to #2

2018-01-26 05:13:01 UTC

I agree with you, and I think that if I were living in Jonas' society, I would feel the same way ... with the exception of feeling imprisoned. I don't think being watched all the time would make someone feel as if they were imprisoned ; maybe it could make someone feel insecure, but I don't really see how being under surveillance could make a person feel imprisoned or trapped. Also, you are kind of SUPPOSED to be yourself, or else how can the Committee of Elders choose a job that is to your liking?

#25

2018-01-26 05:18:20 UTC

In all honesty, I think I would me really weird, if you knew the fact that the elders were watching you 24/7. I wouldn't say that it is a really bad thing but I still think that some part of it is unnecessary. The fact that the elders watch everything in the community means that the crime rate or any kind of thing we consider wrong has a less chance of happening. Also, the fact that they are watching is can give us a chance of getting the right job for us. However there are still many things wrong. The fact that the elders are watching us 24/7 means they are not giving us privacy at all. It's like North Korea. In North Korea there is a rule that if you life in a house, 5 people to your left and right could see what you're doing 24/7. I get that the society that Jonas lives in is a Utopian Society but that doesn't give anybody a reason to NOT give anyone a little privacy. On page 23, 1 and 2, it stated, " He remembered when he was humiliated that the announcement ATTENTION. THIS IS A REMINDER TO MALE ELEVENS THAT OBJECTS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE RECREATION CENTER." The speaker said this when Jonas took an apple to his house. This is really weird if you think about it. This can mean that there is surveillance camera all over the place and they are watching your every move. I mean WHAT the Heck...This is JUST LIKE NORTH KOREA. Also it stated earlier in the book, that if you break 3 rules you get released. This means that you need to think before you do the thing. But, there can be an advantage to this situation. Since the elders are watching you 24/7 you could act differently or a certain way. This way the elders can have different opinions on you. This might help you get the career you want. In conclusion I think the fact that someone is watching me is weird but I believe there is an advantage.

#25 to #27

2018-01-26 06:09:46 UTC

I remotely disagree on what you said. The fact that the elders are watching you 24/7 has it's advantage but it could be disturbing for many people too. The elders can use what they see to match your interest in the future but it also disturb your privacy and you personal thoughts, feeling and emotions. Here's an example. Let's say you fought with one of your really close friends. There is a chance that you will cuss them out at your house and or do some other things. (There are many different types of other possibility) Do we really want the elders to look at that??

#32

garrard_galvan — 2026-02-04 17:39:33 UTC

If I where living in Jonas' community I would be selected as teacher.