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Monday, September 9, 2013

Chapter 11 - The Giver




The Giver transmitted some memories to Jonas, the Receiver so, it lightened him weight off. Jonas could experience Snow, Sled, Runner, Hill, Sunshine, and Sunburn. He asked the Giver why those good things don't exist in the community anymore and he explained that those have good and bad points but are not practical, so they became obsolete. 

Once, I've heard a kind of joking saying Chinese have strong immunity thank to terrible environment. Whether it is true or not, I believe that harsh environmental elements make human beings stronger and have good adaptation. However, Jonas's society is in the different situation. Everything is under control and unpractical things were eliminated in the community. Even hills does not exist in that world and climate is also controlled so, people don't know what the snow and sunshine is. Indeed, is their control the right way for people or for their world? I guess not. The more they control, the weaker people get and the more dependent they grow. It would just make human beings vulnerable. No one wants to be a plant in a greenhouse!





He was filled with energy, and he breathed again, feeling the sharp intake of frigid air.
frig·id [frídʒid]
[ADJ] Frigid means extremely cold.
A snowstorm hit the West today, bringing with it frigid temperatures.


he could feel cold air swirling around his entire body.
swirl [swəːrl]
[VERB] If you swirl something liquid or flowing, or if it swirls, it moves round and round quickly.
She smiled, swirling the wine in her glass.


Now he became aware of an entirely new sensation: pinpricks?
pin·prick [|pɪnprɪk]
[NOUN] a petty irritation or annoyance
He felt a pinprick in his leg.


Tiny, cold, feather like feelings peppered his body and face.
pep·per [pépər]
[VERB][usu passive] If something is peppered with small objects, a lot of those objects hit it.
He was wounded in both legs and severely peppered with shrapnel.


He could see a bright, whirling torrent of crystals in the air around him.
whirl [hwəːrl]
to move in a circle or similar curve especially with force or speed
Her dance partner whirled her around.


Sled, he knew abruptly.
abrupt |əˈbrʌpt|
adjective
sudden and unexpected: I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject | the match came to an abrupt end.


And the sled itself seemed to be poised at the top of a long, extended mound that rose from the very land where he was.
poise 1 |pɔɪz|
verb
be or cause to be balanced or suspended: 
[ no obj. ] : he poised motionless on his toes | [ with obj. ] figurative : the world was poised between peace and war.
• (be poised) be ready and prepared to do something: [ with infinitive ] : teachers are poised to resume their attack on government school tests.


the substance called snow on the vehicle called sled, which propelled itself on what he now knew without doubt to be runners
propel |prəˈpɛl|
verb ( propels, propelling, propelled ) [ with obj. ]
drive or push something forwards: the boat is propelled by using a very long paddle | (as adj., in combination-propelled) : a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.


he was free to enjoy the breathless glee that overwhelmed him
glee |gliː|
noun
[ mass noun ] great delight, especially from one's own good fortune or another's misfortune: his face lit up with impish glee.


Finally the obstruction of the piled snow was too much for the thin runners of the sled,
obstruction |əbˈstrʌkʃ(ə)n|
noun [ mass noun ]
An obstruction is something that blocks a road or path.
John was irritated by drivers parking near his house and causing an obstruction.


He sat there for a moment, panting, holding the rope in his cold hands.
pant |pant|
verb [ no obj. ]
1 breathe with short, quick breaths, typically from exertion or excitement: he was panting when he reached the top.
2 long for or to do something: the opening song makes you pant for more.
• literary (of the heart or chest) throb or heave from strong emotions.


it wasn't a practical thing, so it became obsolete when we went to Sameness.
obsolete |ˈɒbsəliːt|
adjective
no longer produced or used; out of date: the disposal of old and obsolete machinery | the phrase was obsolete after 1625.


They made conveyance of goods unwieldy.
unwieldy |ʌnˈwiːldi|
adjective ( unwieldier, unwieldiest )
(of an object) difficult to move because of its size, shape, or weight


This time, as he lay basking in the wonderful warmth, he felt the passage of time.
bask |bɑːsk|
verb [ no obj. ]
lie exposed to warmth and light, typically from the sun, for relaxation and pleasure.


and felt a sharp pain in the crease of his inner arm at the elbow.
  • [NOUN][usu pl] Creases are lines that are made in cloth or paper when it is crushed or folded.
  • She stood up, frowning at the creases in her silk dress.
  • Papa flattened the creases of the map with his broad hands.
  • [NOUN] Creases in someone's skin are lines which form where their skin folds when they move.
  • When Crevecoeur smiled, the creases in his face deepened.

He opened his eyes, wincing with discomfort.
wince |wɪns|
verb [ no obj. ]
make a slight involuntary shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress: 
he winced at the disgust in her voice.

He seemed terribly weary.
weary |ˈwɪəri|
adjective ( wearier, weariest )
1 feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion: he gave a long, weary sigh.
• calling for a great amount of energy or endurance; tiring and tedious: the weary journey began again.
2 reluctant to see or experience any more of; tired of: she was weary of their constant arguments | [ in combination ] : war-weary Americans.




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