Critique: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Critique:

Jonas’ journey throughout this book is heartbreaking as well as illuminating. Unsure of what he wants out of life but excited about his given task, this young boy is forced to grow up much more than his peers. When he is first assigned to be the Receiver, he is upset; he does not know what to think except separation from those around him. Jonas has been handed an immense responsibility, one that will affect his entire community. The more he learns, the more confused he becomes. What he has always known becomes foreign to him; the truths he has been told turn into lies, and he must decide what is best for not only his community, but himself. Lowry’s description of Jonas’ is so wonderful; she really shows us how difficult his task is emotionally. As readers, we feel Jonas’ pain when the Giver transfers the memories to him. We see what he sees when colors begin appearing. We understand his conflict of either continuing life as he has always known it or using his newfound knowledge to make his life, and the lives of those around him, better. Jonas’ questioning shows his depth of knowledge even at the young age of twelve, and it is this questioning that proves Jonas was chosen for the right position during the ceremony. Through his connection with the Giver we see how important the past is, and through his connection with Gabe we see how truly important the future is. Jonas is the connection between both, and we learn just how important that connection becomes through his character.

The town Jonas lives in is so multi-dimensional. I love how Lowry shows us both what everyone sees, and then what Jonas sees once he learns the truth behind the scenes. Everything seems too perfect, and that creates a really chilling atmosphere. People are too in sync with each other, and they truly fabricate life around them to be what they consider perfect. I reference George Orwell’s 1984 earlier, because I think the two communities are similar. Both thrive on conformity, both give the appearance that everything is fine; but ultimately, the details that people don’t see (or choose to ignore) are what destroy the bubble that people are used to. People see their lives as jobs, as tasks they must fulfill to keep the community going. When Jonas sees his father releasing the baby, and realizes that releasing is a synonym for killing, he is horrified; and yet his father seems so calm. To his father, releasing is just something he does. The community Jonas lives in and later decides to leave is twisted in so many ways. Because of this occurrence, Jonas realizes that the chance to give life to Gabe is more important than his own, risking everything he has ever known to let Gabe experience a real life.

This is such an incredible book. I never read it as a child, reading it for the first time last year. I was impressed with Lowry’s writing before, having read Number the Stars when I was younger, so I knew I would enjoy this book. I had read 1984 for the first time about 3 months beforehand, and I think doing that enhanced the experience of The Giver even more. The surreal world Lowry creates for Jonas to live in is both comforting for those in it and eerie for Jonas once he learns the truth. The plot is so well-crafted and creative, and it gives new meaning to passing down knowledge from generation to generation.