|
Jonas lives in a world with no hunger, sadness, or poverty. It is a perfect and happy world where every family is the same (both parents, plus two children�one male, one female), and in which absolutely everything is under control. There is no physical pain, and no stealing or breaking of any rules. Every single person in the community is given a role in the Community, and children are being carefully observed from the minute they are born. Everything from weight to speech must be perfect from the start of their lives. For example, when twins are born, one must be �released� and it is usually the one who weighs less. |
|
|
when Asher, Jonas� friend makes a mistake in speech as a child, he is quickly taught a lesson. He mistakenly says, �I want my smack,� instead of snack, and is immediately hit across the hands with the discipline wand. Each time he made the mistake, he received �a series of painful lashes that left marks on Asher�s legs.� Despite the fact that everyone is accustomed to this type of life, Jonas feels there is something lacking.He cannot explain it, but he feels that there is lots more to life. When he is chosen by the community to be The Receiver of Memories, he obtains answers to many of his doubts, but also an even bigger list of questions. He makes discoveries about this �perfect� community that he cannot bear. When he uncovers the terrible truth about his father�s occupation, he must make the most important decision of his life.
The author creates an entirely different world in this wonderful and perhaps disturbing book. Rules of this world are carefully followed at all times, and each chapter unveils more and more disturbing material which lends itself to many discussions. Although the protagonist is a child, young adults will find this book appealing perhaps due to the fact that the main characher is not treated as a child, but as an adult. He now has a career, and is being trained intensively. The book is one that makes readers think about many of the things we may take for granted. In this Community where no one has a true choice of a career, where everyone is kept in check from the beginning, and where no one truly knows what love is, readers may find themselves rethinking their appreciation towards the little things in our everyday lives.
Lowry, Lois. 1993. The giver. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books. ISBN 0-440-21907-8. |
|
