Lowry, L. (1993). The Giver. Laurel Leaf.
Newbery Medal - 1994
This story is written in such a unique way, in a narrative voice that is different, describing a “perfect world” where emotions do not exist, life is sterile and uniform, and The main character is twelve year old boy named Jonas who has the weight of the world put on his shoulders. As he is coming of age and the futures of Jonas and his fellow twelve year old find out their determined occupations for the future, he is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory for the so called utopian community he lives in. He is taken under the wing of the aging, current Receiver, who helps him to be exposed to emotions that Jonas nor anyone else in the community has ever experienced. Jonas realizes the betrayal of his society and is upset the more that is unraveled for him by the Receiver, yet his curiosity and his courage, which was why he was selected, keep him going.
It is the foibles and shortcomings of real humans that make us individuals, and it is through learning from mistakes and trying to make right decisions that a richness is given to life as we actually know it. In the story, there is no cause and effect, no lessons learned, no desires felt, and only the “desirable” people are kept in the community. A coldness exists throughout hearing about this community, and that feeling of betrayal builds right along side Jonas as the reader learns about the realities that have been suppressed in order to create a less than perfect “perfect society.” This book was moving and crafted well. The diversity of Lowry's writings is indeed impressive.
Newbery Medal - 1994
This story is written in such a unique way, in a narrative voice that is different, describing a “perfect world” where emotions do not exist, life is sterile and uniform, and The main character is twelve year old boy named Jonas who has the weight of the world put on his shoulders. As he is coming of age and the futures of Jonas and his fellow twelve year old find out their determined occupations for the future, he is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory for the so called utopian community he lives in. He is taken under the wing of the aging, current Receiver, who helps him to be exposed to emotions that Jonas nor anyone else in the community has ever experienced. Jonas realizes the betrayal of his society and is upset the more that is unraveled for him by the Receiver, yet his curiosity and his courage, which was why he was selected, keep him going.
It is the foibles and shortcomings of real humans that make us individuals, and it is through learning from mistakes and trying to make right decisions that a richness is given to life as we actually know it. In the story, there is no cause and effect, no lessons learned, no desires felt, and only the “desirable” people are kept in the community. A coldness exists throughout hearing about this community, and that feeling of betrayal builds right along side Jonas as the reader learns about the realities that have been suppressed in order to create a less than perfect “perfect society.” This book was moving and crafted well. The diversity of Lowry's writings is indeed impressive.
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