The name not to be spoken in The Giver refers to Rosemary, the previous individual selected to be the Receiver of Memory, who ultimately failed in her training and was released. Her name became taboo due to the profound trauma and grief her release caused the community.
The Significance of Rosemary's Name
In the meticulously ordered society depicted in Lois Lowry's The Giver, the concept of "Not-to-Be-Spoken" carries immense weight. It signifies a profound disruption and a failure that impacted the entire community, leading to a memory too painful to recall.
Who Was Rosemary?
Rosemary was the predecessor to Jonas, the protagonist of the novel. She was chosen ten years prior to Jonas for the highly esteemed, yet immensely burdensome, role of the Receiver of Memory. The Community, including its Elders, had limited understanding of the true nature of this role and the immense pain and responsibility it entailed.
Key aspects of Rosemary's story include:
- Training and Release: Rosemary began her training with the Giver, receiving memories of joy, love, and sadness. However, when the Giver began to transmit memories of profound pain, loneliness, and despair, Rosemary could not endure the emotional burden. Overwhelmed, she applied for Release, which in their society means a form of euthanasia or departure from the community.
- Consequences for the Community: When Rosemary was released, the memories she had received were inadvertently released back into the community. This caused widespread chaos, confusion, and suffering among the citizens, who were unaccustomed to feeling such intense emotions. This traumatic event led to the strict rule that her name should never be spoken, to prevent reawakening the collective trauma and to suppress the memory of the incident.
The Impact on Jonas's Journey
Jonas's journey as the new Receiver of Memory is heavily influenced by Rosemary's tragic past. The Giver, who was also Rosemary's mentor, is deeply scarred by the experience and is cautious with Jonas, initially hesitant to transmit painful memories too quickly. Jonas learns about Rosemary's fate and begins to understand the immense responsibility and potential danger of his role. Her story serves as a stark warning and shapes his determination to bring change to his community, hoping to avoid a similar outcome.
For more information about Lois Lowry and The Giver, you can visit her official website: Lois Lowry's Official Website.
