Review Detail

The Giver

                The Giver, written by Lois Lowery really got me thinking.  The book is set in the future in a place that has a thing called Sameness.  Virtually everyone is alike and the lives that each person lives are almost exactly like everyone else.  Except for Jonas.  Jonas is chosen to be the next Receiver of memories.  He is nervous at the prospect of this because it will make him apart from the rest of the community and can cause him pain.  Jonas, not knowing what to expect, goes into his first day of work.  He meets a man named The Giver.  The Giver is going to train Jonas and give him all the memories from the past.  The community needs The Giver so that there is someone to go to when a problem arises.  The Giver looks into his memories and offers them council on what they should do.  Jonas gets to experience snow and sledding at his first day of work.  These things are all new to him because his community doesnt have snow or even hills.  It was discerned long ago that such things could potentially be dangerous so they should be discarded.  Jonas is also introduced to feelings.  Real feelings and emotions, which is something that these people dont have.  Jonas sees why he is going to be isolated from everyone else.  He and The Giver are the only people who actually feel.  Sure, parents have affection for their children but its not real love.  Sure, people get hurt but only physically and never emotionally.  The physical pain can be cured in an instant too.  This is what got me thinking.  These people live in a place that doesnt have seasons or geography.  They dont have love.  It is physically impossible for them to feel that way because of all the things they are sheltered from.  It makes Jonas upset because he loves his family and there is no way for them to return it or for him to show them how much he loves them.  The only one who understands him is The Giver.  Because of all this they decide that they should do something.  It is risky and the possibility stands that if they fail the consequences would be dire.  But, if it works everything would be better.