Response To Lois Lowry's 'The Giver'

This novel is about a community where each person is the same. Everybody in this community go by certain rules and if they do not follow those rules they are punished. Everyone is to act the same in this book. Every person is assigned a job when they become a twelve and they are to work at the job until they go to the house of the old. This book is explained by Lois Lowry the author is explaining a whole different world than ours in this world he describes a person called the giver who is the receiver who hands off the job to Jonas one of the main characters who asks the receiver about all his memories and about what his job will be like. Jones had become the receiver. the giver gives him training and tells him what memories were like, the giver tells him why were like giver tells him why were like.

Jonas wanted to live a different life. In his journey, Jonas travels with Gabriel, the child that was being nurtured by his family. He needed to saved him from being “released”. Together they faced danger and fear but it was just the beginning of a new life in the land of Elsewhere.

In this situation, Jonas witnesses an event that forces him to understand that life may involve suffering and fear. Seeing this memory compelled Jonas to be wiser with his actions because he too may experience much pain throughout his life, thus, causing his gain of maturity. In addition, according to Jonas when he experiences his father “release” a young newborn child, “the newchild, no longer crying, moved his arms and legs in a jerking motion. Then he went limp. His head fell to the side, his eyes half open” (Lowry 187).

Newberry Medalist, Lois Lowry, reflects her fascination with the stages of life into her many novels that depict young adults coping with the challenges that come with growing up. And like many recognized authors Lowry has been asked again and again, “Where did you get this idea?” For each novel written by Lowry the inspiration arises from diverse occasions from her life. In The Giver Lowry explores the new territory of a fantasy realm of society that is free from pain, disorder, and overpopulation; but in a world without love, color, and memories the perfect society turns to dystopia. (Novels for Students) As an explanation for the origins of The Giver Lois Lowry, in her Newberry Medal acceptance speech, compares her inspiration for the novel to the river Jonas looks into, seeing the world differently for the first time. Her ideas started as a mere spring, trickling in from a glacier; and each of the tributaries came from memories, coming together to make the flowing current of the river. (Lowry)

I believe reflection is key to growth, and the social commentary in The Giver by Lois Lowry is that very key. A tale of a seemingly utopian society, I think it is telling of the dangers of conforming to a societal mold. The story explores a society where all pain and strife have been eliminated to achieve an ideal society. Citizens are brainwashed by propaganda, and have every decision, from the number of kids they’ll have to the job they’ll hold, predetermined for them. While this may be a far cry from our current society, this book portrays where we are possibly headed. Our perception of perfection is more defined than ever before: a secure job, a mansion, a luxury car, and of course the latest iPhone. However, in our plight to achieve “perfection”

In the beginning Jonas was a rule follower but then he slowly changed to a rebel. Jonas always told the truth, never stole, and did what he was told to do. For example, when the aircraft flew over twice the announcer came over the speakers and told everyone to get inside. “Leave your bicycles where they are and get inside”(Lowery 2). Why did they have to go inside when a plane flew over.

Could you ever imagine living in a world that is controlled. After reading both the non-fiction article, as well the selected passage by Lois Lowry it was obvious that both communities were being ruled by a strict government. The selected passage is about their strict government that made the community a “perfect world” by not letting them see and do certain things. The non-fiction article is about North Korea's world and how they also limit certain things such as, freedom and occupations. Both articles show the challenges of their world.

How would you feel if every time you do something wrong you would get smacked or beaten? When your a kid and want a snack, and they think you said smack, you would get smacked(pg. 68 ,69). Kids and the elderly get smacked or beaten almost everyday. They also get smacked or beaten if they misbehave. In Lois Lowry's book "The Giver" there are many different rules and punishments in society that are sometimes beneficial or harmful.

Choices, Chances, Changes According to one of the greatest fashion designers and business women Coco Chanel, “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud” (Chanel). This idea of blind obedience is shown in The Giver by Lois Lowry. Sometime in the future, there lived a boy named Jonas where differences were not allowed.

“What happened ten years ago?” Jonas asked. The main character in Lois Lowry novel, The Giver is Jonas, who lives in a Dystopian Society. The problem he forces is that he realizes that the community is hiding many secrets such as what release truly is. During the course of the story Jonas became conscious of what his community is doing to his life. Jonas inherited many different types traits, learning many life lessons and enduring horrible secrets from the community. He thoroughly shows that he was proud of what he is accomplishing such as becoming receiver, sympathetic toward the cruel tactics of releasing the innocent or the guilty, and curious to know how his life is going to change after being presented with his job in the society.

“He killed it! My father kill it yelled Jonas!”(Lowry 188). This is just one surprise Jonas learns about in his community, when people are realest they are killed. In The Giver, there are many surprise/lies that Jonas discovers. Jonas is a twelve year old charter in the book The Giver by Lois Lowry. Jonas was chosen to be the next Receiver of Memory. The Receiver of Memory is a very significant individual who holds all the memories from the past. As Jonas receives the memories he begins to understand that his community is far from perfect. As the novel progresses, Jonas learns being true to oneself takes courage, and those who don't take risk never grow.

“The life where nothing was ever unexpected, inconvenient or unusual. The life without color, pain, or past.” Lois Lowry once said this about her book The Giver. The Giver contains a community that chooses safety over freedom, has no individualism, and is too fearful to rebel but it's not completely their fault since they have no memories of the past lives.

As I grow older, I often ponder about the big decisions I will have to make sometime in my adult life. I often worry that I might make the wrong choice which I am sure will happen at some point. Having someone make those choices for me would definitely make my life easier in many ways, but after reading The Giver by Lois Lowry my views have changed. The Giver led me to see that in reality a life without decision and choice would lead to a life that could not be lived to the fullest.

Lea Vilna-Santos Mrs. English, 7th September 1st, 2015 The Giver, by: Lois Lowry Entry Log 8: Chapters 15-16: Questions 6 and 7: In Chapters 15-16, Jonas shows signs of change and of coming of age when the Giver shows him a memory of love and family, but when he asks his parents if they love him they give Jonas a brief lesson on Precision of Language. Jonas starts showing that he wants to change their community. It all started when the Giver transmitted his favorite memory that Jonas loves.

Throughout the entire story, Lowry includes her simplistic and straightforward writing style to that portrays Jonas’s everyday life. Her straightforward style adds suspense throughout the classical novel. Lowry’s writing style makes the story seem almost journalistic. The author includes scenes of the Giver transmitting memories to Jonas that contrasts to Jonas’s environment. Although, the author fails to effectively describe the effect on the society.