The Giver Summary
The Giver is a novel by Lois Lowry in which a boy named Jonas learns the dark secrets of his seemingly utopian society.
- When he turns twelve, Jonas is chosen to be the new Receiver of Memory.
- The former Receiver of Memory becomes the Giver, transferring memories of the past and the rest of the world to Jonas.
- The Giver shows Jonas a baby being euthanized by Jonas’s father. Jonas’s father takes in a baby, Gabriel, hoping to prevent him from being euthanized.
- Jonas escapes the community with Gabriel, aware that once he leaves, all his memories will be returned to the people.
Summary
Jonas’s Life in the Community
In Lois Lowry’s *The Giver*, Jonas lives in a highly controlled community that prioritizes Sameness, eliminating differences and strong emotions to maintain order. At dinner, Jonas and his family share their feelings, a routine that reinforces conformity. Jonas reveals his apprehension about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve, where children are assigned their roles in the community. His father, a Nurturer who cares for infants, is concerned about a struggling baby named Gabriel and convinces the Elders to let Gabriel stay with their family temporarily.
The Ceremony of Twelve
During the Ceremony of Twelve, children receive assignments based on their observed skills and behaviors. Jonas is initially skipped, causing confusion and anxiety. Eventually, the Chief Elder announces that Jonas has been selected as the new Receiver of Memory, a prestigious but rare role requiring intelligence, courage, and the ability to "see beyond." Jonas’s assignment sets him apart from his peers, and he receives a set of unique instructions, including permission to lie.
Training with the Giver
Jonas begins his training with the current Receiver, who asks to be called the Giver. The Giver transfers memories of the world before Sameness by placing his hands on Jonas’s back. Jonas experiences snow, sunshine, and sledding—concepts unfamiliar to him because the community eliminated these variations for uniformity. He learns about color, emotion, and the richness of experiences that his community has forsaken.
As training progresses, Jonas receives painful memories, including those of war, starvation, and loss. These experiences deepen his understanding of emotions like love and suffering, but they also isolate him from his friends and family. He discovers that others, including his parents, lack true emotions, and their responses to his questions about love further alienate him.
Discovering the Truth
Jonas learns about the previous Receiver, Rosemary, who asked for Release after being overwhelmed by the memories. The Giver explains that Release is death, a truth Jonas witnesses when he sees a recording of his father euthanizing an infant twin. Horrified, Jonas realizes that the community’s seemingly peaceful existence is maintained through control and cruelty.
Planning an Escape
Determined to change the community, Jonas and the Giver plan his escape. By leaving, Jonas will release the memories he has received back into the community, forcing its members to confront the emotions and experiences they have suppressed. The Giver decides to stay behind to help the community cope with the memories.
Jonas’s Journey
The plan is disrupted when Jonas learns that Gabriel is scheduled for Release. In a desperate act, Jonas flees the community with Gabriel, taking his father’s bike and food scraps. They travel by night, hiding from search planes. As they move farther from the community, the landscape changes, and Jonas experiences nature for the first time.
As supplies dwindle, Jonas and Gabriel face hunger and exhaustion. Snow begins to fall, and Jonas must abandon the bike. Holding Gabriel, he climbs a hill and finds a sled at the top. They sled downhill, reaching a place filled with lights and music. For the first time, Jonas hears singing and imagines it coming from both the new place and his old community.
Expert Q&A
What is the author's purpose in writing The Giver?
Lois Lowry's purpose in writing The Giver is to explore the importance of memory, emotion, and individuality in making us fully human. Inspired by her father's memory loss, Lowry crafted a dystopian story to show that a society devoid of these qualities, though seemingly safer, would be deeply flawed. Through Jonas's journey, she encourages readers to value choice, family, and self-awareness.
Why did Lois Lowry write The Giver?
Lois Lowry wrote The Giver inspired by her father's memory loss and her reflections on the human tendency to forget pain. Her father's inability to remember his deceased daughter made her ponder the implications of a pain-free world, leading to the creation of a society in The Giver where memories of suffering are suppressed. She also wanted to explore the consequences of living in a world devoid of real emotions and experiences.
What does Lois Lowry mean by dedicating "The Giver" to the children entrusted with the future?
Lois Lowry dedicates "The Giver" to "the children entrusted with the future" to emphasize the novel's role as a cautionary tale. She warns against the dangers of a utopian society that limits individual rights and enforces conformity, which can dehumanize people. By addressing the dedication to children, Lowry hopes to inspire them to recognize and prevent the societal pitfalls depicted in the novel, promoting the value of diversity and independent thought.
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