Setting
The setting of The Giver is “the community,” an isolated enclave separated from the rest of the world, referred to as “elsewhere.” Initially, the community appears quite similar to our own—it includes homes, schools, a childcare center, and even a rest home. In fact, it almost seems like a utopia. Within the community, families communicate openly about their issues; the elderly are looked after by fellow citizens; children show respect towards their educators. There is no war, disease, hunger, or enduring pain.
However, the reader gradually notices peculiar aspects of this society. At the age of twelve, all children transition into adulthood and receive their “Assignment,” or designated career. During an annual ceremony, the community’s twelve-year-olds are, following extensive deliberation among the elders, assigned roles such as “Fish Hatchery Attendant,” “Instructor,” “Pilot,” “Nurturer,” or “Assistant Director of Recreation.” One of the least esteemed roles is “Birth-mother,” and it turns out that only a few individuals actually give birth. Infants are assigned to suitable parents when they reach the age of one.
Despite its facade of tolerance and adaptability, the society adheres to very strict rules, which are frequently announced over loudspeakers. Language must be extremely precise and is used as a tool to suppress inappropriate thoughts. There are no substantial books remaining, except those hidden in the residence of The Giver, the sole individual who retains knowledge of life before the community's establishment.
The novel’s main character, Jonas, eventually uncovers additional flaws in the society. When someone is “released,” they are actually executed via a lethal injection and disposed of. Individuals are released for breaking rules, aging too much, or failing to conform. Jonas’s father, a gentle and nurturing man, participates in the release of infants. To avoid confusion, twins are not allowed, so the weaker one is released. In one instance, a baby named Gabriel is slated for release because he cannot sleep through the night even as he nears the age of two.
Less apparent is the fact that community members have been conditioned not to perceive colors—their world is literally black and white. Additionally, they lack music and any knowledge of the past—the concept of grandparents is unknown. Since the community members are unaware of any other way of life, they accept everything they are told without question. The novel’s conflict arises when Jonas, upon receiving The Giver’s memories of the past, understands what his society has lost. In an effort to save himself and the infant Gabriel, he escapes, searching for answers “elsewhere,” in the outside world.
Expert Q&A
Where does Jonas from The Giver live and how would you describe his community?
In The Giver, Jonas lives in a community ruled by The Elders who dictate a policy of Sameness and total conformity. Scientists have engineered the climate so that harvests are always plentiful. There are no hills. Citizens's lives are fully controlled, from their marriages and jobs to the things they can see and hear. If any of them step out of line or get sick, they are "released," or killed.
What differences exist between the Receiver's house and others in the community?
The Receiver's house in "The Giver" is distinct from others in the community due to its luxurious furnishings and extensive library, which contrasts with the utilitarian design of other homes. It features an on/off switch for the community speaker, offering privacy not available elsewhere. While other homes only have practical books, the Receiver's house is filled with novels and poetry. These differences reflect the Receiver's unique role in preserving the community's memories and knowledge.
When and how do children attend school in The Giver?
In Lois Lowry's The Giver, children start attending school once they are assigned to a family after surviving their first year of life. Each grade is referred to by a number, such as "Fives," "Nines," or "Elevens," with each advancement in age bringing new privileges or symbols of growing up. The education system is strict, focusing on following community rules both in school and at home. At the age of twelve, students enter into service for lifelong careers assigned by the community's elders, based on the child's aptitude and skills.
In The Giver, how does the Receiver's house differ from other Community houses?
The Receiver's house differs from other Community houses primarily in its abundance of books. While standard Community homes contain only a few reference books, the Receiver's dwelling has bookcases filled with thousands of books. Additionally, the furniture in the Receiver's house is intricately designed and unique, unlike the uniform and practical furniture found in typical Community homes.
What was unique about the Annex in The Giver?
The Annex in The Giver is unique because it offers privacy, information, and comfort. It has a lockable door, a speaker with an off button, and numerous books unlike the rest of the community. The furnishings are more luxurious, and it is where The Giver transfers memories to Jonas, exposing him to emotions and experiences absent in their society.
Why did the Giver's world eliminate snow, hills, and other elements?
The Giver's world eliminates snow, hills, and other natural elements as part of a societal structure based on "Sameness." This approach aims to create a predictable, manageable, and efficient environment by controlling climate and terrain. By eliminating snow and hills, transportation becomes easier and agricultural productivity improves, ensuring safety and comfort. However, this uniformity also deprives citizens of experiencing the richness and spontaneity of life.
In The Giver, what details indicate that people don't drive cars in Jonas's community?
Details indicating that people don't drive cars in Jonas's community include the use of bicycles by everyone, starting at age nine, as a rite of passage. The community's Sameness policy eliminates hills and weather, reducing the need for vehicles. Access to cars or other vehicles is strictly controlled, reserved for special cases like The Giver, who can request a vehicle and driver. This control limits citizens' movements.
How did the weather and landscape change after Jonas and Gabriel's escape in The Giver?
After Jonas and Gabriel's escape in The Giver, the weather and landscape change significantly. Jonas encounters hills, rough terrain, trees, running streams, and wildlife, all of which are absent in his community due to the Sameness. The weather also shifts dramatically, with Jonas experiencing rain for the first time and eventually a snowstorm, highlighting the stark contrast between his community and the natural world.
What is the border between Elsewhere and the community called in The Giver?
The border between the community and Elsewhere in The Giver is not explicitly named or defined. While "Elsewhere" is frequently mentioned, the exact boundaries remain ambiguous. As Jonas embarks on his journey, he experiences new environments and weather, indicating a transition, but the community's limits and the start of Elsewhere are not clearly delineated. The concept of Elsewhere primarily represents the world beyond the community's control.
In The Giver, when are children allowed to ride their bikes?
In The Giver, children are officially allowed to ride their bikes when they reach the age of nine. At this age, they are deemed responsible enough to care for and use the bike safely. However, it is common for children to learn to ride earlier, often using a bike borrowed from an older sibling or a friend, despite the rule.
Literary Qualities
In the New York Times, Karen Ray characterizes the novel's style as "appropriately flat yet expressive." The novel is crafted in a straightforward, nearly journalistic prose that contrasts sharply with the vivid, poetic descriptions of the memories Jonas receives from the Giver. The narrative is compelling, gripping the reader's attention until the very last page. The most impactful part of the story is the conclusion, where reality and fiction, the present and memory, merge as Jonas strives to ensure Gabriel's safe passage to the outside world—a place that, until now, only exists in the memories imparted by the Giver.
The Giver, set over the course of a year from one December to the next, possesses a mythic, almost allegorical essence, distinct from Lowry's humorous, modern family tales. Some of Lowry's other works, such as Number the Stars, incorporate fairy tale elements and structure to convey realistic narratives. Although The Giver does not directly reference fairy tales, its opening has a "once upon a time" feeling, and the joys of the outside world—especially the memory of sledding down a hill and a family celebrating Christmas—become Jonas's own fairy tales, sustaining him through the novel's conclusion.
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