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(02/19/21 4:29pm)
Blake and OK break down a lawsuit over major problems with PlayStation's Dualsense controllers. Checkpoint is Byte's video news series, reporting on recent events in the world of entertainment, tech, and pop culture. Whether its video games, film, television, or music, we've got you covered! Anchors: Blake Chapman, OK SchlatterExecutive Producer: Aaron DwyerVideo Editing: Blake ChapmanAudio Editing: Shwetha SundarrajanGraphics: Taylor SheridanMusic: Jack McGinnis
(02/19/21 3:00pm)
by Conner Tighe
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
Louis Lowry, known for books like Number the Stars, The Anastasia Krupnik Series, and The Silent Boy, reached her peak when she wrote 1993’s The Giver. Lowry wrote about 12-year-old Jonas, who was chosen to receive memories of his society’s past from the giver, Jeff Bridges. Although in today’s film industry we’re plagued by dystopia mania within series' like Divergent, The Maze Runner, and The Hunger Games; Lowry’s four-book series was different from all the others. These dystopian films include violence toward the government, including overthrowing leaders, taking over land, and bombing important buildings. She was able to tell a story of a government keeping humanity bottled up in one man, the giver, and how dangerous and cruel this burden can be. I believe the 2014 film’s lack of violence and blockbuster-esque appeal killed the film before it was even released, although it wasn’t the film’s fault that it didn’t continue.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="285"] Image from Amazon[/caption]
Violence is a fantasy many of us crave to live which is why many video games, like The Grand Theft Auto Series, are popular. The Giver Series wasn’t written with violence in mind. I’m sure because the series was made for younger audiences and because of this, it could be one of the reasons why the film suffered at the box office. The Giver barely made back half its budget of $25 million at the box office, with only making a little over $12 million. In other words, this was a major flop with audiences.
At the end of the film, Jonas is seen holding Gabriel in a snowy forest, watching a nearby house decorated with Christmas decorations. For those who haven’t read the series, Jonas comes back into the story with the fourth novel, Son, which focuses on Claire, Gabriel's mother. But much happens in-between books two, Gathering Blue and three, Messenger; the latter I consider to be the best novel of the quartet. Jonas’ town known as “The Community” turns out to be just one of many other communities in the series; with Gathering Blue focusing on Kira, a young girl with an impaired leg and the ability to dye colors into the fabric for her community except for blue.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="306"] Image from The Agony Booth[/caption]
Again, we’re faced with questions the elders and higher-up hierarchy refuse to answer in the series repeatedly. As Kira survives in a community of poverty and is left to die after her mother dies, we realize Lowry is not only talking about conformity by the dangers of independent thought, but also the importance of class hierarchy. In the novels, the character’s worth is measured by where they stand on the class pedestal. It’s possible the quartet can be called “anti-government” propaganda and could be the reason why it’s considered a banned book on many occasions. Lowry portrays the government as controlling and tyrannical. An example is shown in the first novel and film with Jonas’ father injecting “broken” infants with a deadly serum. It’s not uncommon for authors to write with underlying themes and anti-government is one of the oldest tricks in the book. But the author weaves in more than one or two morals. Lowry discusses what it means to be disabled and treated less than, along with being treated as a statistic more than a human being.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="247"] Image from The New York Times[/caption]
After Kira is saved in Messenger by friend Matty, referred to as “Matt” in Gathering Blue, readers can justify the actions of Jonas, Kira, and Matty. We have characters willing to die for their community, even enemies, to learn about life and experiences outside their own. Jonas was the first to attempt this and succeeded after arriving at a mysterious house via sled while carrying Gabriel. Thus, ending the film and leaving the viewers on a cliffhanger. Only this time, we don’t get an ending, not even a sequel. Don’t start something revolutionary if you don’t intend to finish it.
Another reason the series may not have continued was because of a lack of grounding with protagonists. Throughout the novels, readers are introduced to five main protagonists: Jonas, Kira, Matt, Claire, and Gabriel. Unlike the popular series’ that precedes it, like the ones mentioned earlier, Lowry’s quartet wanted readers to learn about the issue of dystopia from all angles: poor, rich, girl, boy, old, and young. The Giver was not about feminism, government exploitation, or even injustice but about what it means to be human. None of the protagonists seek to destroy anyone or challenge foes but to realize who they are under an oppressive environment. Witnessing emotion and learning difficult lessons are the relatable tendencies Lowry uses to empower her readers, and The Giver Series demonstrates this.
Sources: Box Office Mojo, Business Insider, Top10Films, The Giver Wiki
Images: Amazon, The Agony Booth, The New York Times
Featured Image: The Tangential
(02/19/21 5:00pm)
Anxiety, depression and relationship concerns are the most popular topics of discussion for college students at Ball State’s Counseling Center, said Timothy Hess, associate director for Clinical Services and Counseling Center psychologist.
(02/19/21 3:00pm)
With classroom desks socially distanced and stickers signifying unavailable chairs, professors and students have made many changes to the ways they usually learn on campus. As the world still grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, Ball State’s course modalities show one clear way of how the pandemic has affected campus and academics.
(02/19/21 6:00pm)
Welcome back to another episode of the Coven! On this very special Black History month edition of the Coven, join us as we talk about stereotypes of black women in media, the representation of black women, and what can be done to improve representation for black women. Tune in for all this and more on this week's episode of the Coven!
(02/19/21 1:00am)
Tonight: For tonight clouds will remain in our area and it will be cold with a temperature of only 7. Northwest winds at 5-10 mph.
(02/18/21 9:35pm)
MUNCIE, Ind. (NewsLink) -- After the snowstorm earlier this week Sara Ranee, the housing advocate of Bridges Community Services, decided to finally have a day off after working through the pandemic and work from home.
(02/18/21 9:28pm)
MUNCIE, Ind. (NewsLink) -- As February nears its end, Black History Month is at a forefront.
(02/18/21 9:24pm)
MUNCIE, Ind.(NewsLink) -- The Cardinals have one more hurdle to jump tomorrow as they host the Ball State Tune-Up on Thursday, Feb. 17. However, the team’s main focus is the Mid-American Conference Championship next weekend.
(02/18/21 7:36pm)
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
(02/18/21 7:22pm)
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.
(02/18/21 3:00pm)
Coming off of a 79-77 victory over Miami (Ohio) Saturday, the Cardinals returned to the court Wednesday night and concluded their two-game road trip. In the first of a home-and-home series between the two teams, senior forward Oshlynn Brown recorded her second straight double-double — 15 points and 13 rebounds — propelling the Cardinals past the Bulls.
(02/18/21 5:00pm)
After two Student Government Association (SGA) election seasons saw three executive slates run against each other, just one slate signed up to campaign for the 2021-22 school year.
(02/18/21 3:45am)
Strive presidential candidate Tina Nguyen and vice presidential candidate Chiara Biddle participated in the second student government association (SGA) debate for the 2021-22 school year Feb. 17, 2021.
(02/18/21 1:31am)
The Cardinals understood they had to be solid for all four quarters to earn their eighth road win of the season Wednesday night.
(02/18/21 5:00pm)
Matt Mullins said he discovered film literature through “a series of happy accidents.”
(02/18/21 3:00pm)
As students open the front door to their residence hall, letting the cold winter air rush in behind them, they walk past the front desk, scan their ID and head up to the warmth of their dorm.
(02/18/21 1:00pm)
On Feb. 12, Chinese people ushered in the most important festival of the year — the Lunar New Year. This year, celebrations looked different than usual.
(02/18/21 12:20am)
Ball State’s Student Government Association (SGA) held its weekly meeting Feb. 17 as a hybrid meeting with the option of in-person or Zoom. At the meeting, senators voted on a budget request and introduced two amendments.
(02/17/21 10:48pm)
Today was the first day in Muncie that temperatures dropped below zero in more than 2 years! The last time we saw a sub-zero temperature was January 31, 2019 when the low was -6 degrees. Our average low this time of year is 22, so this morning's low was 27 degrees below average! Cold temperatures are still in the forecast to end the week, but they won't be anywhere near as cold as what we saw this morning.
