The Giver

by Lois Lowry

Utopia has been used as the basis of many books, “Far Pavilions”, “Lost Horizon”, and “1984” to name just a few. “The Giver” is set in yet another version of Utopia. What makes “he Giver” unique is that the main character is a child. Children are not usually the focus of such stories. However, Jonas, the main character, is placed under significant physical and emotional duress.

Jonas lives in an ordinary family unit consisting of a mother, father, and a younger sister. He has friends with whom he plays and has fun. Life appears completely normal as Jonas attends school, volunteers in his community, and discusses his day with his family over dinner.

Several countries follow the custom of assigning careers to children starting very young as child prodigies through about age thirteen. Age thirteen is considered as entering adulthood in several religions, too. Jonas and his twelve-year-old classmates were given career assignments during a ceremony attended by the entire community. Jonas’ life becomes unusual when he is chosen for a job that he, and only he, will have. Unlike his classmates, Jonas cannot discuss his new job with anyone.

Jonas learns to his dismay and eventually anger that he is to carry the memories for his community. This leaves the other members of his community free to live unburdened with emotions, unburdened with guilt.

The Giver and Jonas realize that the community has escaped emotional burdens but also lack a conscience. They release (kill) without a qualm. A plan is hatched to force the community to reclaim their collective conscience as Jonas flees the community leaving his newly gained memories behind for the community to grapple with.

I have read “The Giver” three times, and only during the third reading did I realize that the ability to see objects transform was integral to the plot. Jonas’ ability to envision metaphysical change was the conduit through which the Giver channeled memories. The image of intravenous feeding comes to mind, as the giving of memories seems to flow from the Giver to Jonas. I do wonder why Lois Lowry had Jonas lie on his stomach to receive the memories. I would have thought that the major arteries or veins in the neck or upper torso would have been more expedient conduits.

Lesson plans can be found at:
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/reading17/giver.htm