THE GIVER

1. Bibliography

Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. New York, Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395645662

2. Plot Summary

This book describes a Utopian society set at some unknown point in the future. However, one character, Jonas, discovers that his perfect world is, in fact, far from perfect. Although there is now war, no hunger, and no homelessness, there is also no freedom, no choices, and no emotion. As the chosen Receiver of all of the community's past memories, it is Jonas's responsibility to bear the burden of experiencing emotions like joy and love, seeing colors for the first time, and feeling true pain and anguish. In the end, Jonas and his mentor, The Giver, decided that it is time for the community to share this burden. The only way for that to happen is for Jonas to break every rule he has ever known and call upon courage he is not sure that her possesses. In order for Jonas to change his community and save one very special friend, Jonas must disappear.

3. Critical Analysis

This modern science fiction/science fantasy work offers us a profound glimpse into what may sound like a perfect world, but is, in fact cruel, ominous, and binding. The themes of freedom vs. enslavement and of love vs. hate are important and prevalent themes on which the entire plot of the story is based. As in all good fantasy works, it is important that the themes "reflect universal truths that transcend time and place" (Vardell). In the end, Jonas's intense desire to expose his community and free them from their bondage leads him to plan a daring escape. His love for the "newchild" (Lowry) Gabriel gives him the courage to see it through. These two themes are pervasive human experiences and can be understood by all readers, despite age or nationality.

It is also very important for a science fiction work to have a well developed and consistent setting. As a general rule, worlds in science fiction works do not necessarily follow the same rules that our real world follows. Therefore, it is important for the author to establish rules for this fictitious environment and to remain faithful to those rules throughout the work. In THE GIVER, the world seems like the same world that we live in today, however, we soon learn that society functions much differently than our own. Unlike our own lives, these characters have a life where "nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without color, pain , or past" (Lowry). This seemingly Utopian world, where people have been genetically designed to see only in black and white and where there are no choices because life is already mapped out, has no joy, freedom, or love. Throughout this work, Lowry remains true to the rule that, as the Receiver of memory, Jonas and his mentor, The Giver, are the only characters to see there world as the emotionless void that it really is.

This award winning book uses memorable, realistic characters and a consistent, almost familiar setting to tackle the universal truths of our human need for freedom and, above all, love.

4. Review Excerpts

Booklist: Lowry's simple, powerful prose creates an anti-Utopian world where the lack of hardship, war, and poverty only covers the citizens' deeper lack of freedom.

Horn Book Guide: Although life seems perfect -- there is no hunger, no disease, no pollution, no fear -- the reader becomes uneasily aware that all is not well. The story is skillfully written; the air of disquiet is delicately insinuated; and the theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented.

School Library Journal: The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time.

5. Connections

* Other Books by Lois Lowry
NUMBER THE STARS
THE SILENT BOY
SEE YOU AROUND, SAM!

* Other Books about Utopian Societies
MESSENGER by: Lois Lowry
THE MOUNTAIN OF TRUTH by: Dale Carlson

* Other Science Fiction Books
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS by: John Christopher
CHANGELING by: Delia Sherman
GIFTS by: Ursula K. Le Guin