A Book Analysis of Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue By Lois Lowry Thesis Statement: Knowing oneÐ2Ð,a,,cs identity is a way of fulfilling oneĐ2Ð,â,cs life purposelntroduction:

The uniqueness of one2Ð,â¢s personality, character and abilities defines his identity. Knowing oneD2D,â,,cs distinctiveness is a grueling process. A person must have enough strength and perseverance to surpass obstacles. He must be able to accept whatever mistake he does and learn from it. Gradually, the person will be able to know his true identity once he reaches a certain point of enlightenment triggered by a life-changing event or experiences.

His purpose, however, is yet to be known. ManÐ2Ð,â,cs purpose in life is realized after death since at this point, one has fulfilled his mission or duty. According to Rick WarrenÐ2Ð,â,cs Purpose Driven Life, Đ 20,ÑšWhat people are able to do is what God wants them to do.Ð2Ð, Næ It is also cited in the said book that each individual has to play a certain role planned even before he was born.

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The book Đ2D,†Gathering Blue2,,,cs tackles the story of Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg who lives in a society where its savagery is masked for the people to think that they live perfectly. Though branded as weak and useless, she confronts these prejudices by showing her talent in weaving magnificent pattern in cloth. Her mother fought to keep her away from the people who continued to look down on her since she saw in her daughter her potential of being an exceptional weaver despite being handicapped.

Her motherÐ2Ð,â,,cs belief pushes her to improve her craft, thus becoming the official Robe-Threader of her community.

In this paper, the researchers aim to relate the state of the community in the novel to the present state of the society today. The significance of the characterÐ2Ð,a,,cs abilities, strengths, as well as weakness will also be analyzed.In a village restored by the last survivors of the tragedy that almost wiped out the whole human race, a young girl with a twisted leg named Kira burns her cot while grieving the loss of her beloved mother. Her mother was the only living relative she had, her father died after being eaten by beasts. Only her mother believes that she is gifted with a talent far greater than anybody else, the art of weaving, which made up for her disability. This inspires her to forget her fear of the village and the people there who tend to look down on disabled people like her. An eight-year old boy by the name of Matt, a friend of hers, helps her as she clears up her belongings in the cot they once owned. Matt warns her of Vandara, a cruel and rude woman who is known and feared in their village. One day, while Kira was peacefully eating, Vandara emerges from the woods with a group of women in tow. She demands of KiraÐ2Ð,,,cs land where her tiny cot stands. Kira defends herself and states her rights of owning it. However, the group of women continues to insult her, saying that ownership of a land is not worth for a crippled girl. Kira was on the verge of being murdered if VandaraÐ2Ð,â,cs group had not suggested bringing the argument to the Council of Guardians, the villagesĐĐâ,C leaders. During the trial, Vandara tells the Council several accusations against Kira. Since Kira remains defenseless, the Council appointed Jamison, a Guardian, to be her defender. Both parties win after the trial. Vandara now owns the land while Kira is appointed as the Village Weaver. Because of her job, she is relocated to Council Edifice, the main office of the government. As the village weaver, her task is to manage the Robe, clothing used by the Singer who narrates the history of the world through its patterns during a very important event held once a year called the Gathering. She meets Thomas, a talented government worker as well who carves the Staff. As part of her job, she is sent to Annabella, a woman who teaches her in making dyes of every color except blue, the rarest of all. While on her way for another lesson to the forest where Annabella lives, she hears the sounds of beasts. Kira tells this Annabella yet she quickly dismisses her musings, saying that there are no beasts in the forest. Out of curiosity, Kira asks Jamison about this. Jamison assured her that there are beasts in the forest. While working, Kira hears a faint cry coming from somewhere. She decides to seek for it later on when Matt and Thomas comes home. Afterwards, Matt shockingly announces the sudden death of Annabella.

Kira meets Jo, a lonely yet talented orphan toddler who was the source of the faint crying in the quarters. She consoled her and promised her that she Ð2Ð,â,,cll be protected in her care. Later, Jamison informed Kira that a dyeing place is set up for her since Annabella is no longer alive. As time passed, Kira and Thomas, as well as Jo, realized that those who have special purposes like them are isolated from society. Their life were only limited to their work. Matt went missing which deeply troubled Kira. She was later informed that Matt has gone to search for blue yonder, the rare plant Kira wants that produces the color blue. He didnÐ2Ð,â,,ct return for days. The Day of the Gathering is fast approaching. All the government workers, including Kira, were busy with their jobs. Once the Gathering began, Kira, Thomas and Jo were introduced to the people. Afterwards, the Singer starts the chant, narrating the history of the people with the use of the Robe and the Staff. Matt suddenly appears during the ceremony, the blue yonder clutched in his hands. He tells Kira that he brought along a present for her. Matt reveals the present he brought which turned out to be Christopher, KiraÐ2Ð,,,cs long lost father whom she believed dead her whole life. Christopher reveals that he was not really taken by beasts but by men. He almost died but a group of kind strangers took him in. He lived in their care for years in the place (the Field) where the Council made them to believe as dangerous. He clarifies that the field is actually where the government throws the disabled people of their village. Christopher persuades Kira to join him in the field. Kira refuses and informs her father about her role in the village appointed by Jamison. Upon hearing this name, his father reveals that Jamison was the one who plotted to kill him. Kira realizes the clarity of it all eventually. She realizes that they were held captive because of their gifts, which are used only for the benefit of the government. They had no freedom at all; they were here for the sole purpose of just having a role in society. Matt leads Christopher home. Kira tells Christopher that maybe one day, their villages would come together as one. Her father hands her a gift, a bundle of blue threads unraveled from his blue shirt. She watched his father and Matt go, the blue threads clutched in her hand.Issue Analysisin a Dystopian society, discrimination is not considered immoral and unacceptable. Actually, it is considered a necessity since the society is forced to fit the expectation of the leaders. Everything is organized and arranged according to the will of the leaders. Furthermore, a Dystopian society causes an ĐĐNšoverall slow decay of all systems (political, economic, religion, infrastructure) resulting from people being alienated from nature, the State, society, family, and themselves. Ð2Ð, Ñ Ð2Ð,†WikipediaEncyclopedia.com. Discrimination of the weak and helpless is evident in KiraÐ2Ð,â,,cs community even long before she was born. Her family has actually been a victim of this which resulted to her living independently in such a young age. Even Kira herself is a victim of this since she is robbed off of her dignity, rights and worth as a person just because of her disability. The discrimination the disabled characters are experiencing is so intense and extreme that they are forced to exile to a place known as the Field, which Jamison told Kira as a very dangerous forest when in truth, it is not. The isolation of the people in the Field from the otherwise Đ25,ÑšnormalÐ2Ð, No people in the village symbolizes the usual economic levels that are still present today. This gap between the two social groups symbolizes the arrogance, vanity and conceit of the village people who consider themselves higher and more capable of doing great things than the discriminated group. However, there is still hope in uniting these to social groups into equality, as Kira said, ĐĐ.NŠOne day, our villages will know each otherÐ2Ð, No. Discrimination is rampant in the present society. This has caused a number of conflicts left unsolved. Basically, discrimination is a vague issue. People have different views of each other. In our society today, discrimination is sometimes caused only by pressure from outside factors. Though the UN and other organizations have made this issue disappear completely, it almost seems inevitable. Once we follow KiraÐ2Ð,â,,cs example of finding her weakness and making a good out of it, discrimination may disappear and the true dignity of man will emerge once again. The issue on the corrupt and self-serving government the village has also greatly affected the conflict of the story as it progresses. Since Kira and her other gifted friends work for the government, they are under its power and have no right to do what is not dictated to them. They are bound to an invisible chain, struggling to escape but they reassure themselves with a false reason that what they are doing is for the good of the community. Yes, it is for the good of the community but what about their own well-being? Is it not enough that they serve and do what they can without indirect imprisonment which causes them to be blind to the Đ25, Nštrue 525, No reality of their situation? The hopelessness of Kira and her friends is best shown in this excerpt:Ð2Ð, NŠThe guardians with their stern faces had no creative power. But they had strength and cunning, and they had found a way to steal and harness other people ,â,,cs powers for their own needs. They were forcing the children to describe the future they wanted, not the one that could be.Ð2Ð, Noe - page 212. Since the Philippines is a democratic country, the dystopian idea is irregardless and unacceptable. At present, the Filipinos live in freedom to choose and do what they want. However, based on the circumstances concerning the sudden downfall of the Philippine government, we are once again bound by an invisible chain as well. Throughout this struggle, there is still hope for the Filipinos. Unlike Kira and her friends, Filipinos are much more aware of their right of freedom. However, like Kira, they also have the power of change. Another sub-issue that should be discussed is the parental neglect and abuse in the society they live in. Matt is s perfect example of a child who suffered from this problem. However, this situation didnÐ2Ð,â,ct make him less of a good friend to Kira. Even with a wretched background, Matt still contributes an air of joy and contentment to the characters who undergo situations that are too serious. Although Matt follows what Kira tells him, having the role as his surrogate mother, the neglect of his parents is shown through his attitude and the way he deals with challenges, conflicts and problems, often rash and reckless. He doesnÐ2Ð,â,ct think rationally since almost all his life there is no one who will guide him to do what is right. Although MattÐ2Ð,â,,cs family background is unfortunate, this taught him to be more independent which helped not only him but the other people involved in his actions too. Children are the hopes of the nation. They are meant to change the future of our society. Parental neglect is unacceptable because it only shows their irresponsibility as true citizens and beings. Sometimes, this issue is inevitable as well. Because of the peopleÐ2Ð,â,,cs busy lifestyles, family became the second priority to career. The lives of children depend solely on the parent. Once a parent is gone, the child is left to himself, unguided and lost. His future contributions to society will be lost. He will not be able to fulfill his duties, responsibilities and purpose in life. Recommendation The writers would like to recommend this book to everyone but specifically to the teenagers because they are the one that can relate best to the characters in the story. In this book you will find important lessons in life especially about finding your inner strength and beauty amidst all your flaws and weaknesses. The language of the story is chosen carefully so as not to offend young readers or adults while at the same time providing access for younger or less experienced readers. The author uses different styles in writing like foreshadowing and symbolism which makes it more enjoyable to read and easier for readers to understand the story.