Throughout these chapters, Jonas’ character grows in complexity as he gains wisdom from the many memories that The Giver transmits to him. Some days, The Giver sends Jonas away because The Giver is in too much pain to be able to train Jonas. Jonas spends this free time by himself, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 13-15Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12
As the current Receiver of Memory transmits the first memory to Jonas, Lowry’s style of writing changes. Up to this point, her style has been straightforward — clear and uncomplicated. However, all of the memories, which we understand through Jonas’ interpretations of them, are lyrical because Jonas’ thoughts, feelings, and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 11-12Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-10
In Chapter 9, Jonas realizes that his life will never be the same as a result of having been selected as the new Receiver of Memory. At the conclusion of the December Ceremony, Jonas immediately feels “separate, different.” People move aside for him to pass, and his peers are unsure […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 9-10Summary and Analysis Chapters 6-8
As Chapter 6 begins, Jonas’ family unit is preparing to go to the December Ceremony, which lasts for two days. By describing the rules that each peer group must follow, Lowry emphasizes the theme of individuality versus conformity. We learn that Fours, Fives, and Sixes are required to wear jackets […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 6-8Summary and Analysis Chapters 3-5
Two major themes — freedom versus security and individuality versus conformity — are emphasized in these three chapters. Because Jonas’ father is concerned about one of the newborns, he requests and receives permission to take the infant, named Gabriel (Gabe), home with him each night for extra nurturing. When Jonas, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 3-5Summary and Analysis Chapters 1-2
In the first sentence of The Giver, Lowry creates suspense and foreshadows the outcome of the novel. The setting is an unknown future year in “almost December.” Lowry uses the word December to symbolize short, dark days, cold weather, and end-ings — a time when nature seems dead. She also […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 1-2Character List
Jonas The protagonist, or main character, in the novel. Jonas is a sensitive, polite, compassionate twelve-year-old boy. At the December Ceremony, he is selected to become the new Receiver of Memory, the most honored position in the community. Jonas is quite complacent, or non-caring, before he begins his training as […]
Read more Character ListAbout The Giver
As Lois Lowry stated in her acceptance speech when she won the Newbery Medal for The Giver, she began writing a book that takes place in a utopia, where everything is perfect. She learned from her memories that living in a perfect society is not risk-free, that dangers lurk in […]
Read more About The GiverBook Summary
Lowry narrates The Giver in third person (“He said,” as opposed to “I said,” which is called first person), using a limited omniscient viewpoint (only Jonas’ thoughts and feelings are revealed). Through Jonas’ eyes, his community appears to be a utopia — a perfect place — that is self-contained and […]
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