THE GIVER
JOHANNIE BEAUVAIS// LOIS LOWRY
BOOK SUMMARY
Everything is a routine in Jonas's community, the same thing is done everyday. Go to bed at a certain time, eat at a certain time, be with family at a certain time, everything is just the same. But when Jonas is chosen to be the next Receiver, he sees everything in a different light. Emotions develop, and change is taking place. Will the community that Jonas once called home remain the same? Or will it develop a new way of living?
JONAS
About
Jonas is one of the many children growing up in the community. He has a younger sister named Lily who can't ever seem to be quiet, and parents that "enjoy his presence" very much. Jonas has come to develop a love for a a troubled newborn named Gabriel, as his father his designated to give the child extra care. He has two close friends, Asher and Fiona, that don't seem to be his close friends any longer as the events fold out. But all in all, Jonas is a confused little boy who is really just trying to find himself.
Challenges
- One major problem that he does face early in the book, is that he does not know who he is. Everyone else is made out to seem like they have a certain path for them to take, but Jonas is confused and lost about his own destiny.
- One obvious challenge that Jonas comes across in the novel, is the difficult task of being the new Receiver. Clearly there is the burden of holding all the memories (good and bad), and there is pressure put on his shoulders because of the previous Receiver (who happened to be a "failure") . Throughout the story, we see that the Jonas handles certain aspects of the job well, and other aspects of the job not so well.
"THE WORST PART OF HOLDING THE MEMORIES IS NOT THE PAIN. IT'S THE LONELINESS. MEMORIES NEED TO BE SHARED."
THE GIVER
It has been made known in the the novel that the Giver is Jonas's mentor/coach for being the new Receiver, but the Giver's role is bigger than that. The Giver provides a window for Jonas's perspective on things to grow and flourish, and teaches him things that helped shape and mold the current Jonas. Most important thand put e Giver loves Jonas as his own, something that Jonas has never experienced before.
GABRIEL
Although nothing personal is described about Gabriel, except that he is a troubled infant, he is also a key part to certain qualities that Jonas has developed. Besides the Giver Gabriel is someone whom Jonas loved, and was willing to risk his life and protect him.
ROSEMARY
Rosemary is the previous Receiver, and the Giver's daughter. Even though Jonas did not know her personally, she still had a great effect on him. Because she "failed" at her job, it was crucial that Jonas succeed. He also learned from her mistake of being "weak", and used it to be better.
QUESTIONS???
- IN THE BEGINNING OF THE NOVEL JONAS FEELS A CERTAIN WAY ABOUT BEING THE NEW RECEIVER, AND HE FEELS ANOTHER WAY DURING/AFTER TRAINING. HOW HAVE JONAS'S FEELINGS CHANGED DURING THE TWO PERIODS?
- DO YOU THINK JONAS SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE COMMUNITY, AND THE MEMORIES BEHIND? EXPLAIN WHY OR WHY NOT.
- HOW DOES JONAS SEE HIS FATHER, AFTER WATCHING THE TAPES OF THE RELEASING?
OVERALL RATING
In this novel I liked the actual concept, how it was different form others. The idea of being like everyone else,and learning to find your individuality was laid out differently, and for that I praise the author. What I disliked though was the abrupt ending. I'm not sure what happens to the characters, and that just leaves me with a need for closure. None the less, the author did a really good job at describing events and the book was written very well.