The
Giver
by Lois Lowry
The
Giver
|
|
Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Dell, 1993. |
An ALA Notable Children's Book An ALA Best Book for Young Adults |
What is perfection? According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, perfection is “the quality or condition of being perfect; extreme degree of excellence according to a given standard.” In my opinion, perfection is a rare occurrence that many people strive for but never obtain. In Lois Lowry’s novel, The Giver perfection is a way of life, or is it?
The Giver, an intriguing coming of age story, takes place in a “utopian” society. Jonas’ life was perfect until he realized that he hadn’t been living at all but just going through the motions of life. At the age of twelve the children of the community become adults. A ceremony took place that acknowledges this change in front of the entire community. Each “adult” received a job assignment. Each of them except Jonas, he, instead, had been chosen to become the next Receiver of Memory, the most honorable potion in the community. The old Receiver of Memory, now called the Giver, gave all the memories, pasts, and feelings of those who’d come before him to Jonas. Once Jonas gained the knowledge of the true things that were alive and well outside the community, such as animals, colors, and love, he realized that he had never really lived before he’d received the memories. He realized that no one could truly live without experiencing feelings, without having a past, without any memories. He wasn’t living in a utopian society because he hadn’t been “living” at all.
The Giver is symbolic of life itself. Before the ceremony of the twelve Jonas represented innocence. Children are very innocence and trusting. He knew no pain or suffering at that point. He was happy and carefree. Once he left the stage at the ceremony of the twelve, he lost that innocence and with that lost his childhood. The reality of adulthood hit him with all its pain and suffering, as well as all its joy and excitement. However, Jonas realized that he’d lost his innocence and his childhood forever. There is no going back to the sweet uncomprehending innocence of a child.
Lois Lowry:
| Lois Lowry's dream came true when she began writing in the mid 70's.
Her father was an army dentist and she had the
experience of traveling all over the world. She first attended Brown University but left during her sophomore year to get married and start a family. She returned to college at the University of Southern Maine and received her degree. She is now divorced and lives in West Cambridge. Lois Lowry has written over twenty novels and has won the Newbery Medal
twice. Both children and young adult readers know her. In her
writing she wrestles with themes such as futuristic societies, cancer and
adoption. Lowry deals with issues in
"Lowry is once again in top form-raising many questions while answering few, and unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers." From: Review of The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Publisher Weekly. 15 February. 1993: 240 "...The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading, and thinking." From: Ray, Karen. Review of The Giver, by Lois Lowry. New York Times Book Review. 31 October. 1993: 26 |
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A Summer to Die, Children’s Literature Award, International Reading Association, 1978 Autumn Street, American Library Association Notable Book Award Citation, 1980 Anastasia Again!, American Book Award Nomination (juvenile paperback category), 1983 Rabble Starkey, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Golden Kite Award, Society
of Children’s Book Writers, and Child Study
Number the Stars, Newbery Medal, National Jewish Book Award, and Sidney Taylor Award, National Jewish Libraries, 1990 The Giver, Newbery Medal, 1994 |
These ideas are general and would have to be refined to suit the grade level and the particular students:
Learning Activities
By Jenn Haley
Language Arts (incorporated with the Art, Geography, History, Music, and Social Studies activities)
History- Historical Events:
Social Studies- Parents Careers:
Other
The Giver presents a ?today world of sameness: no yesterdays (historical background), no differentiated human rights, and no opportunity to exercise any freedoms. Since our world is not like this, after completing this activity, students will have a greater appreciation of the freedoms they have in the future.
The students will visit The Career Key and take an interest inventory by checking off items in the program. Then the program will analyze their answers and formulate a list of possible careers. The students will click on the one(s) they are interested in and the program will lead them through the job? description, qualifications, and possible earnings.
http://www.ncsu.edu/careerkey/career_keyms.html
