What Is Lily's Comfort Object In The Giver

What is Lily's Comfort Object in The Giver? A Deep Dive into Symbolism and Childhood

Lois Lowry's The Giver is a celebrated dystopian novel that explores themes of memory, choice, and the complexities of human emotion. While the story centers on Jonas's journey of discovery, his younger sister, Lily, plays a crucial role, albeit a seemingly minor one. Understanding Lily's role, particularly her attachment to her comfort object, provides valuable insight into the societal control and the suppressed emotional landscape of the community. This essay delves deep into the question: What is Lily's comfort object in The Giver, and what does it symbolize?

The answer isn't as straightforward as it might seem. Unlike many children's stories featuring clearly defined "blankies" or stuffed animals, Lily's comfort object isn't explicitly named or described in detail. This ambiguity, however, is precisely what makes her attachment so significant and allows for deeper analysis. The absence of a concrete object forces us to examine what comfort means within the context of this controlled society.

The Nature of Comfort Objects in a Controlled Society

Before we speculate on the nature of Lily's comfort, it's crucial to understand the community's strict control over emotion and individuality. The Elders meticulously plan every aspect of citizens' lives, suppressing strong feelings and eliminating choice. In such an environment, the very concept of a "comfort object" takes on a layered meaning. It's not simply a tangible item providing solace; it represents a fundamental human need – a need actively suppressed by the community's rigid structure.

The community's emphasis on sameness and conformity extends to childhood. Children are trained from a young age to suppress individual expression and emotion. Toys are likely functional and uniform, lacking the individuality and sentimental value associated with comfort objects in other societies. This lack of personalization emphasizes the community's aim to eliminate emotional attachments that could disrupt the social order.

Interpreting Lily's Unnamed Comfort Object: Possibilities and Interpretations

Given the controlled environment, Lily's comfort object likely isn't a traditional teddy bear or blanket. We can explore several potential interpretations:

1. The Absence as a Comfort Object: Perhaps Lily's lack of a clearly defined comfort object is itself significant. The absence of a personalized item symbolizes the lack of individual expression and personal history encouraged within the community. This absence underscores the pervasive sense of sameness and the repression of individual attachment.

2. A Familiar Scent or Sound: In a community prioritizing order and sameness, a distinct smell or sound could become a source of comfort for Lily. This could be the consistent scent of her assigned family unit's dwelling, the rhythmic sounds of the community’s machinery, or even the familiar cadence of her parents' voices. These seemingly mundane elements, consistent and predictable, could provide a sense of security and familiarity in a world that strives to eliminate individuality.

3. A Simple, Functional Object: The object might be something entirely unassuming: a smooth, polished stone, a particular type of wooden block from her training, or even a piece of clothing with a soft texture. The comfort wouldn't stem from sentimental value or association but rather from a tactile experience offering a sense of predictability and security in a world of controlled predictability. The simplicity highlights the limited emotional range allowed within the community.

4. The Family Unit Itself: In the absence of personal belongings, Lily’s primary source of comfort might be the structure of her family unit. The familiar routine, the consistent presence of her parents and Jonas, could provide the emotional anchor lacking in a tangible object. The family unit, however regimented, provides a sense of belonging and predictability in an otherwise controlled environment.

Lily's Comfort and the Theme of Repressed Emotion

Whatever form it takes, Lily's comfort object (or lack thereof) powerfully illustrates the novel's central theme: repressed emotion. The society attempts to eliminate the complexities of human emotion, but Lily's need for comfort highlights the inherent human desire for solace and security – desires that cannot be entirely eradicated, even in a highly controlled society. Her attachment, whether overt or subtle, subtly undermines the community's claim to complete emotional control.

Lily’s innocent questions and observations about color, feelings, and the outside world further emphasize this point. She represents the untainted potential for emotion and the vulnerability of childhood in the face of systemic control. Her comfort object, or its absence, symbolizes the subtle ways in which children, even within restrictive environments, search for solace and maintain a fragile sense of self.

Contrasting Lily with Jonas: The Significance of Innocence

Comparing Lily's experience to Jonas's reveals another layer of significance. Jonas, being older and more perceptive, consciously grapples with the moral implications of the community's system. His journey involves intellectual and emotional awakening. Lily, on the other hand, experiences the repression of emotion more passively. Her comfort object, or the lack thereof, reflects this passive acceptance of the community's rules. Her innocence underscores the chilling effectiveness of the community's control and the vulnerability of children to its influence.

The Symbolic Power of Silence: Unasked Questions

The lack of detailed description surrounding Lily’s comfort object also adds to the narrative's symbolic power. The silence surrounding this detail leaves space for the reader to engage actively with the text, filling in the blanks based on their understanding of the novel's themes and setting. This absence forces a reflection on the unspoken, the repressed, and the subtle ways in which human needs assert themselves even within highly controlled environments. The unanswered question about Lily’s comfort becomes a potent symbol of the community’s attempts to suppress fundamental human needs and emotions.

Conclusion: A Silent Testament to Human Resilience

Ultimately, the nature of Lily's comfort object in The Giver remains ambiguous, yet this ambiguity serves a crucial narrative purpose. It highlights the community's profound attempts to control emotion and the inherent resilience of the human spirit. Whether it's the absence of a traditional comfort object, a subtle scent, or the unspoken security provided by family, Lily's comfort speaks volumes about the suppressed emotions and the enduring need for solace, even in a society designed to eliminate them. The ambiguity allows the reader to actively participate in interpreting the character and her role in the story, fostering a deeper understanding of the novel's central themes and reinforcing its enduring power. Lily, through her innocent existence and unspoken needs, serves as a poignant reminder of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and the enduring power of human connection, even in the face of profound societal control.