| Jonas, the preteen protagonist of The Giver, lives in an authoritarian dystopia where safety takes precedence over individuality. This is a world free of pain, violence, and hunger. It is also a world without love, colors, music, or memories. The entire memory of society is held by one person, the Receiver of Memories. Chosen to be the next Receiver, Jonas begins his training, receiving memories from the current Receiver (who to Jonas becomes the Giver). Feeling genuine emotions for the first time, Jonas realizes the drawbacks of his society's way of life, but realizes also the futility of any attempt at change. The bittersweet ending of the tale involves the heroic resolution of Jonas's moral dilemma. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth 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 - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 % Main Character Identity: - Male Age: - a teen If magical mental powers: - clairvoyant Main Adversary Identity: - society How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a lot Setting Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century) Takes place on Earth? Yes 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? - significantly more dialog than descript |
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