The Giver by Lois Lowry

A Brief Summary

The Giver is set in an unknown time and place, in what appears to be a utopian society where there is no hunger, no disease, and a community that cares for its members. The main character is a boy named Jonas, who is twelve years old, and it is through him that the reader is first introduced to the various elements of the utopian society and the importance of the upcoming ceremony that will see Jonas assigned to his role in the community. It is at the ceremony that he is selected for a great duty: To become The Receiver. Jonas learns that his duty is to receive the memories of life held by the current Receiver, now called the Giver, and that he will advise the community on the best course of action by being able to sift through the collected memories.

As Jonas begins to undergo his training, the reader realizes all that is missing from his life in the supposed utopia. We learn of the way in which emotions are suppressed, how there is no color or difference, and the horrible things that go on in order to ensure of a “perfect” society. As Jonas learns of love and war and color, the reader comes to see all that is so very wrong with the community. Eventually, Jonas must make a decision as to whether he can bear the responsibility of being the Receiver or if maybe there is another way to live.

Thematic Elements

The Giver has all the elements that are present in most utopian and dystopian fiction, juxtaposing the two and challenging the reader to decide whether or not the community that Jonas lives in is worth the price that the citizens unknowingly pay to enjoy the comforts that it provides. The importance of differences and emotions are central to many of the events in the novel, as these are the two things missing the most from the community.

Analysis

The Giver is a pretty easy read and should be suitable for students at the sixth and seventh grade level, as they should have no trouble reading the book and picking up on the themes at work. Teachers should help guide them to the deeper questions, to avoid students seeing things as black and white (pun fully and unapologetically intended) and force them to consider whether or not the community where Jonas lives is a utopia or a dystopia. After all, the majority of the residents are ignorant to what they are missing out on, but they believe that they are happy with the equality they live in. Jonas' views on the community he lives in, seeing as he is the main character, will color the reader's interpretations and students need to be reminded of the other elements at work.

A Little Something More

The Giver is a good way to start a unit of dystopia, leading into other classic works of dystopian worlds like George Orwell's 1984. Teachers should look to connect the two together to maximize the effects of both books, though the latter does have a higher reading level. The Giver is a good first step and, even if it is not going to be used as part of a larger unit, it makes for good independent reading. If your course does not intend to teach other works of dystopian literature, then at least give your students a leg up by preparing them early with this book.