The Giver
A 1993 dystopian novel by Lois Lowry set in a society that has eliminated pain, conflict, and choice by converting to "Sameness." The title character is an elder who holds all memories of the past—both beautiful and terrible—and transmits them to his young successor.
The book is widely taught in middle schools and has become a touchstone for discussions about conformity, free will, and the cost of a painless existence.
Sending of information
- painBodily or emotional distress
- pleasureHappy, satisfied feeling
- colorVisual hue property
- snowFrozen crystalline precipitation
sunshine · music · love · warfare · starvation · elephant · sled · rainbow
Named organizational body
- releaseTo let go
- conformityAdherence to norms
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- controlAuthority to direct
oppression · rules · obedience · colorblindness · emotionless · regulated · regimentation · totalitarian
To let go
- escapeFlight from captivity
- deathCessation of life
- protectionGuarding against harm
- GabrielHebrew name meaning divine strength
selflessness · risk · flight · starvation · exposure · journey · rescue · love
Hebrew prophet, whale-swallowed
- TwelveNumber after eleven
- innocenceFreedom from wrongdoing
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
choice · rebellion · identity · maturity · truth · perception · growth · independence
- Newbery MedalPrize for children's literature
- literatureBody of written works
- fictionImagined narrative work
- young adultPerson just past adolescence
chapters · protagonist · Jonas · Gabriel · narrative · symbolism · themes · climax
transmission
Sending of information
snow · sunshine · music · love · warfare · starvation · elephant · sled · rainbow · heritage
Community
Named organizational body
- releaseTo let go
- conformityAdherence to norms
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
control · oppression · rules · obedience · colorblindness · emotionless · regulated · regimentation · totalitarian · pills
release
To let go
- escapeFlight from captivity
- deathCessation of life
- protectionGuarding against harm
Gabriel · selflessness · risk · flight · starvation · exposure · journey · rescue · love · choice
Jonas
Hebrew prophet, whale-swallowed
disillusionment · choice · rebellion · identity · maturity · truth · perception · growth · independence · questioning
Lois Lowry
- Newbery MedalPrize for children's literature
- literatureBody of written works
- fictionImagined narrative work
young adult · chapters · protagonist · Jonas · Gabriel · narrative · symbolism · themes · climax · resolution
- Newbery WinnersHoles, Shiloh, Number the Stars, Bridge to Terabithia, Lincoln
- Dystopia1984, Nineteen Eighty-Four, dystopian fiction, totalitarianism, Brave New World
- sci-fiscience fiction, Star Wars, sci-fi, Blade Runner 2049, aliens
- banned books1984, Animal Farm, Brave New World, Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lady Chatterley
- American LiteratureThe Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Scarlet Letter, Moby-Dick, Moby Dick
- children's booksfairy tales, nursery rhymes, picture books, bedtime stories, Harry Potter