The Giver: A Powerful Exploration of Memory, Individuality, and Freedom
"The
Giver" by Lois Lowry is a compelling dystopian novel that explores a world
that seems perfect at first glance, but gradually reveals its darker, more
sinister side. Set in a future society that has eradicated all suffering and
strife, the story follows a young boy named Jonas, who is selected to receive
memories of the past from an elderly man known as "The Giver."
ABOUT
AUTHOR:
Lois Lowry
is an American author born on March 20, 1937, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is known
for writing children's and young adult literature and has won numerous literary
awards for her work. Lowry attended Pembroke College in Brown University and
later worked as a journalist, but she eventually turned to writing fiction
full-time. Lowry's most famous work is probably "The Giver," a novel
published in 1993 that has become a classic of young adult literature.
SETTING:
The story
takes place in a community that is designed to be homogeneous, where all
members live in identical houses, wear the same clothing, and follow a strict
set of rules and rituals. There are no colors, no music, and no individuality.
Children are assigned their future careers at the age of twelve, and families
are created through a system of artificial insemination and the assignment of
children to parents.
The setting
is further defined by the presence of various buildings and institutions, such
as the Nurturing Center, the House of the Old, the Hall of Open Records, and
the Receiver's house, where the main character Jonas goes to receive his
training as the new Receiver of Memory.
CHARACTER:
1. Jonas: The protagonist and main character
of the story. He is an eleven-year-old boy who is selected to be the new
Receiver of Memory. Jonas is brave, curious, and kind, and he struggles with
the challenges of gaining knowledge and confronting the harsh truths of his
society.
2. The Giver: An elderly man who is the former
Receiver of Memory and Jonas's mentor. He is wise, compassionate, and holds the
memories of the past that are no longer available to the rest of society.
3. Fiona: Jonas's friend who works at the
Nurturing Center. She is kind and gentle, and Jonas has a crush on her.
4. Asher: Jonas's best friend who is assigned
the job of Assistant Director of Recreation. He is energetic, friendly, and
sometimes impulsive.
5. Jonas's parents: His father works as a Nurturer and
his mother works at the Department of Justice. They are loving and caring, but
also deeply conditioned to conform to the rules of their society.
6. The Chief Elder: The leader of the community who
presides over the Ceremony of Twelve, where children are assigned their future
careers.
7. Rosemary: The former Receiver of Memory who
was selected before Jonas. She was unable to bear the burden of the memories
and chose to release herself from the community, which deeply affected the
Giver.
PLOT:
The novel
begins with Jonas living in a seemingly perfect community where everything is
controlled and regulated, from the way people dress to the job they are
assigned at the age of twelve. Jonas is initially excited to receive his new
assignment as the Receiver of Memory, but as he begins his training with the
current Receiver, an elderly man known as The Giver, he learns about the
painful memories of the past, including war, poverty, and suffering.
CONFLICT:
The main
conflict in "The Giver" by Lois Lowry is the internal conflict that
Jonas faces as he learns about the truth of his society and begins to question
its values and practices. Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community where
everything is controlled and regulated, but as he gains knowledge of the past
through his training as the new Receiver of Memory, he realizes that his
society has sacrificed freedom and individuality for the sake of conformity and
stability.
This
conflict is intensified by the fact that Jonas is expected to carry the burden
of knowledge and memories of the past, which come with great pain and
isolation. He struggles to reconcile his growing disillusionment with his love
for his family and friends in the community, as well as the fear of challenging
the status quo and facing the consequences of his actions.
Another
conflict in the story is the clash between Jonas's desire for personal freedom
and the rigid rules of his society. This is illustrated through his
relationship with Gabriel, whom he is tasked with releasing but chooses to flee
with instead, risking his own life and challenging the rules of his community.
RESOLUTION:
The
resolution of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry is left open-ended and
ambiguous, as the novel ends with Jonas and Gabriel's escape from the community
and their journey towards a new life outside of the society they have always
known.
As they
journey through the wilderness, Jonas experiences both the joys and struggles
of newfound freedom, but also faces great danger and uncertainty. He uses the
memories that The Giver has transmitted to him to help him survive and navigate
the challenges of the natural world.
The novel
ends with Jonas and Gabriel encountering a sled at the top of a hill, which
gives them hope and the possibility of a new beginning. The final scene implies
that they slide down the hill on the sled, but it is unclear what awaits them
at the bottom.
The
open-ended resolution of the novel allows the reader to interpret the fate of
Jonas and Gabriel as they journey towards an uncertain future. It also leaves
open the possibility that their story may continue in the reader's imagination,
as they explore a world beyond the confines of their previous lives.
Ultimately, the resolution of the novel emphasizes the power of human
connection and the importance of individuality and freedom in the face of
conformity and control.
THEMES:
There are
several themes explored in "The Giver" by Lois Lowry:
1. Memory and the past: The novel explores the importance of
memory and the past in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in
it. The society in the novel has suppressed all memories of the past in an
attempt to create a perfect, conformist society, but Jonas learns that this
comes at a great cost.
2. Conformity vs. individuality: The novel also explores the tension
between conformity and individuality. The society in the novel values
conformity and sameness above all else, but Jonas begins to question this and
seeks to assert his own individuality.
3. The cost of perfection: The novel questions the idea of a
perfect society and suggests that the pursuit of perfection comes at a great
cost. The society in the novel has eliminated pain and suffering, but also
eliminates joy and individuality.
4. Freedom: The novel explores the importance of
freedom and the struggles that come with achieving it. Jonas's journey towards
freedom is difficult and dangerous, but ultimately rewarding.
5. Love and connection: The novel emphasizes the importance
of human connection and the power of love to overcome even the most difficult
challenges. Jonas's bond with The Giver, his love for his family, and his
connection to Gabriel are all essential to his journey towards freedom and
individuality.
EVALUATION:
"The
Giver" by Lois Lowry is a thought-provoking and powerful novel that
explores complex themes such as memory, individuality, conformity, and freedom.
It is a well-written and engaging story that captivates readers of all ages and
challenges them to question the world around them.
One of the
strengths of the novel is its ability to create a believable and fully-realized
dystopian world that is both frightening and intriguing. The novel also has
strong, well-developed characters, particularly Jonas and The Giver, whose
relationship is at the heart of the story.
The novel's
open-ended ending has been both praised and criticized, as some readers
appreciate the ambiguity and the chance for interpretation, while others find
it frustrating and unsatisfying. Additionally, some readers may find the
novel's themes and messages to be heavy-handed or overly simplistic, while
others may appreciate its clarity and directness.
Overall,
"The Giver" is a classic of young adult literature that has
influenced countless readers and writers over the years. Its themes and
messages remain relevant today, and its powerful story and memorable characters
continue to resonate with readers of all ages.
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