What Your Most Vivid Memories Say About You
What makes up a person’s identity? Some scientists would say it’s a person’s genes — the traits that are passed down by a person’s mother and father. Other people might say it’s a person’s reputation. In “What Your Most Vivid Memories Say About You,” Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., has a different take on what makes a person who they are.
When and How to Pair: Have students read this text after they have read up to the end of chapter 12. Jonas has received his assignment as the new Receiver of Memories and is learning to receive the memories of others under the tutelage of the Giver. Introduce this text in order to have students discuss issues around memory and identity. Ask students to refer to the text as they discuss the question — what makes a person who they are? Have students discuss whether they feel it’s right or wrong for Jonas to take on the memories of others.