Skip to main content

What do girls' hair ribbons stand for in The Giver? Where and when do they appear in The Giver?

The hair ribbons girls wear are an indication and symbol of their youth.  They reinforce conformity.  Girls wear them until age Nine.  Girls must wear them at all times, and they are specifically mentioned in Chapters 2, 3, 6 and 13.


Lily complains about the hair ribbons.  When her mother fixes them, she tells her she can tie them herself.  Lily’s ribbons are always untied.


"I know that," Mother replied, straightening the hair ribbons on...

The hair ribbons girls wear are an indication and symbol of their youth.  They reinforce conformity.  Girls wear them until age Nine.  Girls must wear them at all times, and they are specifically mentioned in Chapters 2, 3, 6 and 13.


Lily complains about the hair ribbons.  When her mother fixes them, she tells her she can tie them herself.  Lily’s ribbons are always untied.



"I know that," Mother replied, straightening the hair ribbons on the little girl's braids. "But I also know that they constantly come loose and more often than not, they're dangling down your back by afternoon. Today, at least, we want them to be neatly tied and to stay neatly tied." (Ch. 6)



There are several symbols of a child’s age, and everyone is alike.  For example, the clothes the children wear vary by year.  As they get older, the community symbolizes the children’s growing independence with hair and wardrobe changes.


Hair indicates a child’s age for boys too.



Jonas never found the Ceremony of Ten particularly interesting- only time-consuming, as each child's hair was snipped neatly into its distinguishing cut: females lost their braids at Ten, and males, too, relinquished their long childish hair and took on the more manly short style which exposed their ears. (Ch. 6) 



With everyone looking alike and dressing alike, the community reinforces Sameness.  Sameness means that no one is different, so no one is uncomfortable.  Everything is carefully regulated so that there are no choices about anything.  If children chose whether to wear hair in ribbons or not, then some would look different.  Therefore, there are rules that everyone wears ribbons.  They also must be properly tied. 


Not complying with the community’s rules or not being neat results in public shaming.  For example, if Lily’s ribbons are untied the Speaker may make an announcement to the whole community.  Even if Lily is not mentioned by name, everyone will know who the speaker is talking about.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more