The Giver
By: Lois Lowry Created by: Brianna Rodriguez
Summing Up the Book for You
The Giver is an amazing book that shows the readers different is good, it is something that people should embrace no matter the obstacle. It takes place in a community full of Sameness ruled by a group of elder members each from a different community that act as an Oligarchy to the communities. Around the age of twelve, children are given Assignments that help bring the community together. Jonas is a young boy living in one of the communities who feels no Assignment would suit him. In a way, he was correct, no ordinary Assignment suited him so he was selected to be The Receiver of Memory, a rare job that gives him the ability to see the past but way back in the past. He meets his mentor, The Giver who teaches him about climate, color, feeling that he had never felt, happiness, pain, and other thing never thought was possible in the world. The more he learns about times before, the more he realizes that taking it away from the people was wrong giving the determination to bring those memories back. During his job he meets Gabriel, a newborn marked uncertain who is placed temporarily with his family unit. Later in the book we find out that Gabriel is different like Jonas because he is able to receive the memories that Jonas gives him. After a year has passed, Jonas feels change is needed, so before the next ceremony he makes a plan to leave the community which would release all memories Jonas was given while the Giver helps the people understand them. Small change in his plan made him take Gabriel because he was about to be released. He managed to release his memories and restore difference in the community.
More about the Main Character: Jonas
Jonas is different. Not just from his peers, but from his family unit and other family units in his community. He can see things that others couldn't imagine to be real. He later learns that this is called Seeing-Beyond when he is selected to become The Receiver of Memory, a selection that befalls rarely. Growing up, rules were a priority for him, it helped members of the community live easier, but his Assignment changed everything. His perspective on life differed. After that, Jonas became determined to restore the memories, color, and decisions from past times to his community and other communities out there.
The Giver
The Giver is Jonas' mentor in the art of receiving memory. He transmits those memories through his back. The Giver has a daughter named Rosemary who was the previous receiver that failed ten yeas ago. He lives in the Annex room located behind the House of the Old. He is old, kind, gentle, smart, and he advises for the greater good.
Fiona
Fiona is one of Jonas' best friends in the book. She is kind, gentle, happy, caring, and has red hair. At the Ceremony of Twelve, Fiona got the assignment of Caretaker of the Old. She and Jonas are the same age. She watches out for Jonas and Asher. Fiona is Jonas' crush.
Gabriel
Gabriel is a newborn marked uncertain. Jonas knows he is special because he has the same pale eyes as himself. Also because Gabriel can receive the memories Jonas gives to him. He was said to be released the morning of the Ceremonies, but Jonas took Gabriel with him to Elsewhere. They survive to hear music.
Favorite Quote
"The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared."
- The Giver
Questions I Asked
- Most members of the community weren't given spouses or a family unit because they lacked connection to other members. What does this tell you about the society in the book?
- Jonas took an apple home from the Recreational Center after playing catch with Asher. Why?
- What rule was Jonas hesitant to break? Why?
OVERALL RATING
Like in every book, there are parts that I like and some that I dislike. What I like about the book is that it sends a good message about difference in our world.Most of the memories are interesting and the part where he leaves the community to release the memories in my opinion is bold and dangerous, but very interesting. What I don't like about the book is that it gets boring at most parts and it is a very short book. My overall rating for this book it 8 out of 10 or 4 stars out of 5.