Pleasantville Analysis

“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” -Albert Einstein. In these texts The Giver By Lois Lowry, Anthem by Ayn Rand and Pleasantville by Gary Ross the societies never seem to move forward. With no opportunity and change the society remains the same. In the Giver, the community had always lived the same with only the Givers knowing a different life. Living a life controlled by the elders of the community. Similar to Pleasantville with the same routine every day and no change within the society. In all three of the societies the citizens are impacted by laws and rules to restrict their lives. These rules exist to try to create this perfect society. In an unjust society
During Jennifer's first day of school in class they are discussing the town’s geography and she seems confused and asks a question. Mary Sue asked “Outside of Pleasantville ... What's at the end of Main Street? The class lets out a knowing groan--as if to say "Oh. We get it now. Boy what a stupid question." Miss Peters gives a kind but condescending look. Oh, Mary Sue. You should know the answer to that. The end of Main Street is just the beginning again (Pleasantville).” On the first day Mary Sue is taken back by this answer. Surprised she realizes that all these citizens have no idea what is outside of pleasantville In this community they think that is all there is to the world, unaware that there is so much outside of their community. As Mary Sue at this point in the movie has been told and learned that the there is much to the world. Yet in Pleasantville they haven't been taught that and they are not questioning what else there is. Jonas teaches us early in the book what the term “released” means in this community. Jonas says "For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure (Lowry 2)." Though Jonas understands that this was a statement of failure of being released he doesn't quite question it until later in the book. He doesn't seem to care what happens to the person that is being released or question what
In Anthem By Ayn Rand Equality 7-2521 would somewhat share his emotions even though in his community that is considered a sin. He says “For men are forbidden to take notice of women, and women are forbidden to take notice of men. But we think of one among women, they whose name is Liberty 5-3000, and we think of no others (Rand 38).” In this quote Equality 7-2521 shows how living in such a restricting society can leave those with no emotion, yet as he breaks away from society he soon gains these emotions and feels love towards another women. Towards the end of The Giver Jonas soon starts to notice this lack of emotion among his society. As The Giver offers Jonas to see a releasing Jonas accepts. The narrator states “As he continued to watch, the new child, no longer crying, moved his arms and legs in a jerking motion. Then he went limp. His head fell to the side, his eyes half open, then he was still. With an odd, shocked feeling, Jonas recognized the gestures and posture and expression. They were familiar. He had seen them before(Lowery 187).” Jonas quickly realized that he had witnessed the death of this young child. As his father is the one carrying out this action he realizes that this was a familiar thing to his father. This lack of emotion while just killing off those of old age or weakness or other morality. As Jonas feels