The Giver

It is obvious that Mother does not value the Assignment of Birthmother. How do you think a Birthmother feels about her Assignment? Would she think it is or is not important? Why or why not?

Read the following passage: 
“‘Three years,’ Mother told her
firmly. ‘Three births, and that’s all. After that they are
Laborers for the rest of their adult lives, until the day that
they enter the House of the Old. Is that what you want, Lily?
Three lazy years, and then hard physical labor until you are
old?’” (p. 22)

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Last updated by Aslan
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Being a birthmother is basically reproductive slavery. Mother does not see this because she has been socially and mentally conditioned to accept the status quo. She sees her privileged place in society as "normal" and the subjugation of birthmothers as the way society works.