| Imagine a society where no one can see in colour - everything is monochromatic. Imagine a society where spouses are selected, children are assigned to parents, names are predetermined, and jobs are selected for its citizens. In ‘The Giver', these decisions are the responsibility of a committee of elders. Hills make transportation difficult, and snow makes the growing season shorter. Every-thing is perfect. There is no hunger, poverty, or war. Lois Lowry portrays her idea of a utopian society.
Jonas, the main character, is eleven years old as the story begins. When he turns twelve, he receives his Assignment, or occupation, as it is called. Many people have a general idea of what Assignment they will receive based upon what they have done during their mandatory service hours. Jonas, however, has volunteered in a variety of places, and has no idea. During the Ceremony of Twelve where Jonas receives his Assignment, he is shocked to find that he has been singled out to become the new Receiver. Jonas alone will receive private training from the Giver, who holds the memories of what ordinary life was like. The Giver has memories of colours, of hills and snow, and of ordinary family life. Once these memories have been transmitted, they will belong to him. After just a year as Receiver, however, Jonas can no longer bear this responsibility. A shocking discovery creates a desire to bring the community back to reality. Lois Lowry portrayed Jonas's community as a haven, however it is actually an evil place lacking uniqueness, and full of deceit and trickery. The story was filled with suspense, and was written with detailed de-scriptions and used extremely good literature – it included many challenging words and many different parts of speech. The world she created, in which everything is the same and differences are considered as insults, added to the story's interest and indeed showed off Lois Lowry's professionalism.The Giver is a fascinating book about a fictional utopian society. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Repressive society story Yes Repressive because: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Who's a slave/repressed? - humans are slaves of other humans Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a kid Main Adversary Identity: - society Age: - long-lived adults How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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