Genre 6

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf.
ISBN 0440237688

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jonas and his family live in an Utopian futuristic society where no pain, choices, or controversies exist. In Jonas' world, each family unit consists of a mother, a father, a boy and a girl. Each year all members attend a ceremony, where children gain new responsibilities and privileges such as bike riding. At the Ceremony of Twelve, members get assigned their future job assignment by the community Elders who carefully decide on this based on a person's strengths and weaknesses. Some members become Birthmothers, and they are the ones who provide the communities "newchildren". Jonas is chosen to be the "Receiver", a great honor, but one which also comes with great pain and awareness. He is to receive the communities memories from "The Giver". It is during these sessions that Jonas first learns of ordinary things such as color, pain, snow and death. Jonas also learns the unsettling truth that new and old members who are "released" are actually murdered, and that his own father will soon be "releasing" a newchild that Jonas has come to love, Gabriel. With the Giver's help, Jonas sets off with Gabriel to "Elsewhere" in the hope of returning memories to the community, and ultimately altering their existence.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lowry's fantasy masterpiece is skillfully woven, incorporating the elements fantasy novels need in order to succeed. The basic tenet of fantasy novels, magic, is evidenced by the Giver and the Receiver's exchange of memories, both pleasant and unpleasant. The internal consistency of the novel stays constant throughout, and the plot is easily believed, especially due to its futuristic setting. Lowry visually presents her setting, making it easy for the reader to imagine a world devoid of color, pain, or choices. Lowry presents just enough setting information to paint the picture of the society, but her focus remains on the characters. Each character is fully developed and credible. The characters of Jonas and the Giver are well faceted, and to a lesser extent, so are those of Jonas' sister Lily, his parents, and his peers. It is a bit difficult to identify with Jonas' father once the reader knows his job includes murdering innocent children, however, because the total brainwashing and automatic responses are understood, one can somewhat identify even with him. The theme of the novel is paramount. Jonas' battle deep within himself, and his strength to rebel in order to save society, even if it means sacrificing himself, is admirable. Lowry's style enables the reader to easily suspend beliefs, and allows one to immerse themselves into Jonas' future world. This thought provoking novel makes one truly consider the consequences of living in an utopian world.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL (1994)
* BOOKLIST: "Lowry is once again in top form-- raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."
* SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time."
*KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Wrought with admirable skill--the emptiness and menace underlying this Utopia emerge step by inexorable step: a richly provocative novel."

5. CONNECTIONS
* Compare and contrast Lowry's writing style and subject matter in some of her other novels, including:
GOSSAMER
ISBN 0618685502
MESSENGER (Also about a Utopian society)
ISBN 0618404414
GATHERING BLUE
ISBN 0385732562
ANASTASIA ABSOLUTELY
ISBN 0440412226
* Discuss why or why not students believe a Utopian society will ever be possible. Read other books on related subjects, including:
ISLAND by Aldous Huxley
ISBN 0060085495
BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
ISBN 0060929871