Empathy

    
     I think that everyone in the community lacks empathy because they can't feel anything. I would hate for someone to listen and help me through something and claim they have empathy for me having no idea what it feels like or even what a feeling is. I keep wondering do they actually think that they know what people are going through? Do they really think that they have empathy for each other?
     Empathy is something that is so important in the utopia/community because every night at evening meal they share their feelings and how they felt throughout the day, and then the families are supposed to help, comfort, and support them. But, really they can't comfort and support them at all!
     Is it possible to comfort and have empathy for someone who hasn't even felt that or know what is going on? Well, I'll answer my own question, no! I think that comforting doesn't necessarily use empathy, comforting is just trying to make someone feel better. I think that the people in the community were trying their best at trying to help and support others but still they don't know how any of it really feels! I think that with this "tradition" that they use they are definitely "trying" to use empathy. But, they aren't doing the best job at it.
     But, Jonas I think definitely starts to have empathy for others because of all the memories and feelings he's received. Jonas can actually understand things and comfort someone knowing what's actually going on, even if they might not know or understand. But that also brings me to another question; if Jonas knows no one else can have empathy why would he bother to do it and strive to help others knowing no one would truly understand it?
     I think having empathy is what mostly makes Jonas who he is. I think if he didn't become the Receiver he never would have fully understood and because of the feelings and memories he was given he could understand, and I think that was something he was really grateful for as the Receiver. Even though I think some memories are tough and may be hard to relive its easier knowing that someone else could have gone through the same thing and knowing that you can help them and yet also be understood and benefit yourself at the same time really can make it worth while. But maybe that's just me who thought that. :)