During our final semester of sixth grade, the entire class has been reading and discussing the book
The Giver by Lois Lowry. There is a persistent and driving question and theme that permeates the book which is, “How do our accumulated memories affect and mold our identity?” In a futuristic utopian society a twelve year old boy, Jonas, lives where all citizens have only short-term memories. In the past, memories were considered imperfect and difficult to control, so Jonas’ world has rules and regulations that are enforced by the elders. Without their memories, the citizens in Jonas’ world are unable to develop their own unique identities.
The Giver sparked a discussion in class about what it would be like if we had no long term memories, and how that might affect us. What purpose do memories have? Here Jack Keane has reflected about what purpose and effect his memories have had, and how they have shaped him.
A Meaningful Memory
By Jack Keane
Memories. If we didn’t have them, we would be stuck with nothing to ponder, tell, and only a future to worry about. That’s why it’s always important to cherish the moments you have, and everything you do. For many families, friendships, and relationships, lives change drastically in just a year. So, it is always mandatory to keep your precious times locked inside you, even if you think they’re worthless. Though not all memories are the most positive of thoughts, they are worth remembering, because you always need a few tears to weep, and a few thoughts to express.
Going to my favorite place in the middle of the winter felt a bit weird this year, and it was hard to think, because I was crying inside. Usually, whenever my family and I would drive over those roads and hills, it would be exciting, and we would all be in our greatest moods. This time, my two sisters, my dad, and I drove through the sleet, though we showed only the slightest trace of excitement. It was the only positive emotion we expressed, because soon we would be seeing my cousins and other family members. Nevertheless, we had to remember the reason we were actually there; my grandmother had just passed away. We all knew that the emotions we saw in our family’s faces and actions would not be what we were accustomed to seeing every summer.
When we arrived at the house in Baltrasna, Ireland, my uncle, my mom, and my aunt were the only ones still there. It was around 9:00 in the morning. My mom had arrived two days before we had. My whole body was stiff and numb from the two-hour car ride from the airport, and I was not in the mood to do anything. The car smelled like the airport, and all of our belongings smelled of an airplane. It’s strange how you don’t forget those scents. I went to sleep knowing the coming evening would suck all the energy and joy out of me.
I selected this memory because it’s a deep and a very important moment for me. It has taught me to move on and leave the bad bits of past behind me. From this experience, I now know how it feels to lose somebody you love, and it is a remembrance I will never forget.