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The Giver | Essays and Criticism

• Controversial Themes in The Giver

  In the following essay, the author evaluates controversial themes in The Giver and concludes that Lowry's novel, while terrifying in many ways, offers its readers hope and a constructive view of Jonas's world.

• Newbery Medal Acceptance

  Lois Lowry explains the origins of The Giver in this excerpt, taken from her 1993 Newbery Medal acceptance speech, given at the annual meeting of the American Library Association on June 26, 1994, in Miami, Florida.

• The Sand in the Oyster

  In this excerpt, Patty Campbell, noted author, critic, and general editor of Twayne's Young Adult Author series, discusses the unexpected elements in Lowry's The Giver, with its multilevels of meaning, complex symbolism, and ambiguous conclusion, so radical a change from previous works by the author.

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1. The Giver: Introduction
2. The Giver: Summary
3. The Giver: Lois Lowry Biography
4. The Giver: Themes
5. The Giver: Historical Context
6. The Giver: Critical Overview
7. The Giver: Character Analysis
   1. Gabriel
   2. Giver
   3. Jonas
   4. Other Characters
8. The Giver: Essays and Criticism
   1. Controversial Themes in The Giver
   2. Newbery Medal Acceptance
   3. The Sand in the Oyster
9. The Giver: Topics for Further Study
10. The Giver: Media Adaptations
11. The Giver: What Do I Read Next?
12. The Giver: Bibliography and Further Reading
13. The Giver: Pictures
14. Copyright

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