There are many ways to maintain peace and order in a country or community. One way to maintain peace and order in a country or community is to have proper rules and customs.one of these communities is Jonas community. In the novel The Giver, the author Lois Lowery describes that how a community should have rules/customs to prevent problems such as wrong choices and pain and also to have order, this is shown through character, setting and atmosphere. In a community the rules/customs maintain order and stop problems.
The Givers character shows that rules/customs (Sameness) can prevent problems such as wrong choices. In the discussion between the Giver and Jonas, Jonas says "He could choose? Instead of Sameness" then the Giver says "He would make wrong choice"(98). In this example Jonas says that it would be better if there was no sameness he could choose. But the Giver says that he could make wrong choice and there could be problems them. The rule of sameness prevents people from problems. Jonas's Mother's character shows that rules and customs (dream telling) can stop problems such as Stirrings. In the book Jonas's mother says that "thank you for your dream Jonas"."the feelings you described as the wanting? It was your first Stirrings. ."."it's just the pills. You're ready or the pills."(37). Jonas's mother says that in the ritual of dream telling when he told the dream he had they came to know that he was eligible for the pills, the treatment for Stirrings. Jonas character also shows that rules and customs can stop rudeness. In the book it is narrated that 'It was extremely rude for a citizen to touch another citizen outside the family unit'. this proof shows that if a person touched any person outside the community it was considered extremely. Touching a person can also cause problem like fights. The character in Jonas community show that rules/customs stop problems such as wrong choices, stirlings etc .