the giver essay ideas

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapters 16-18

Chapters 19-21

Chapters 22-23

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Further Reading & Resources

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to be “released” from the community Jonas lives in? Name a few reasons people are released and explain how the act of releasing someone reflects the community’s values.

Receiver is described as a position of honor, while the Birthmother assignment is said to lack honor. Why is this the case? What might happen if the status of these roles were switched?

At several points in The Giver , Jonas expresses that having choices is dangerous. Why does he feel this way, and how does his opinion about choices change as the story unfolds?

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by Lois Lowry

The giver essay questions.

What does the ending of The Giver mean for our interpretation of the text?

Answer: Lowry has left the ending ambiguous. The more likely approach is to decide that Jonas did die and was merely hallucinating at the end of the novel, which could imply a pessimistic ending that completes our image of a dystopia that cannot provide its citizens with both safety and independence. Under this interpretation, we also see the difficulty of separating oneself from the collective; successful resistance requires more than just one or two people. One might decide instead that Jonas coincidentally finds the sled and Elsewhere at the conclusion of the novel. This development might suggest the ability of the human spirit to survive centuries of suppression and hint that Jonas's society will recover from the adverse effects of Sameness. It is important to note that in a later novel, Messenger , Lowry resolves the ambiguity by suggesting that Jonas survived, but this does not invalidate the possible interpretation that Jonas died.

What is the significance of snow in The Giver ?

Answer: Jonas's experiences with his memories are intimately connected with the idea of snow, from his first received transmission of sledding through snow on a hillside to his experience of a broken leg and finally to his real encounter with it at the novel's conclusion. As with many other things that have been eradicated through Sameness, snow involves the dangers that the community chose to end in its quest for safety. At the same time, however, it brings Jonas great joy, through his exhilaration in his first memory and in his apparent recognition of the existence of Elsewhere in the last chapter. Snow is neither good nor bad, but the novel implies that its absence takes some essential aspect away from the world. Removing a risk involves removing the benefits that could have resulted from taking the risk.

What meanings does the phrase "back and back and back" hold within the novel?

Answer: The phrase represents the traditional role of The Receiver within Jonas's community, and it gives a sense of history and continuity to the position of Receiver. Yet, as Jonas notes later in the novel, it also represents the burden and constraints that the society has given to The Receiver in the search for safety and Sameness. Whereas The Receiver is forced to remember "back and back and back" and understand all the pains of humanity, the rest of the community has no sense of history and thus loses both the positive and negative aspects of retaining a common history. For the community, the earlier times were times of hurt and danger, "backward" times that the people do not want to remember or relive.

How does The Giver's acquaintance with Jonas change The Giver's outlook on life?

Answer: Although most people read The Giver 's relationship to Jonas in terms of The Giver's teachings to Jonas--The Giver is in control, helping Jonas develop wisdom to augment his intelligence and courage--The Giver also gains some wisdom himself over the course of their relationship. Prior to meeting Jonas, The Giver had resigned himself to the stagnant nature of both the community and his role within the society, judging that the society was supreme and that he was powerless. However, by seeing the changes that his memories and teachings effect in Jonas, he learns that he also has the ability to teach others and perhaps reverse the oppression of individuals. By talking to Jonas about the problems of their society, he gains the resolve to make a difference and affect the society's future course.

Discuss how the idea of release is used in The Giver.

Answer: Because the nature of release is not revealed until very late in the novel--at a point that could be considered the climax of the plot--the continued references to the mysterious process of release unsettle us and lead us to suspect that it is intentionally hidden because of moral cracks in the society. The narrative introduces us to the idea of release in the first chapter as an apparently excessive punishment for a pilot's innocent mistake while indicating the presence of fear, which sets the tone for the rest of the novel. The novel then proceeds to both soothe and unnerve as it alternates examples of people who are happy to be released with those who are banished from the community for wrongdoing or for simply being weak. Considering that the Old are eventually released, it is not hard to figure out that being released means being euthanized. When the process of release is finally revealed, we are not surprised to see that it is lethal injection. The long period before the novel's revelation adds to its significance in revealing the problems in the community's structure. If the society has really done away with the troubles of this world, why do they still call euthanasia a release? Figuratively, people are being released from the bondage of the oppression in this tightly controlled society, but of course they do not see it in this way.

Discuss the role of family in The Giver .

Answer: Over the course of the novel, Jonas forms in a sense a second family. The first one consists of his family unit, and the second is a new family including Gabriel and perhaps also The Giver, who are joined to him by the transference of memories. The first unit serves as a foil for the second, as its apparent functionality is shown to be somewhat lacking in real love or permanent attachment. Most families are tightly controlled for the sake of the society (compare Plato's treatment of families in the Republic ). In contrast, Jonas's relations with The Giver and with Gabriel are more suggestive of the love that he feels in the memory of family and grandparents, and the novel suggests that their ability to feel true emotions such as love represents what is lacking in the rest of the community.

How do Asher and Fiona illuminate our understanding of Jonas's character?

Answer: Asher and Fiona serve as foils throughout the novel for Jonas. Initially, Asher's character description in particular highlights Jonas's characteristics of intelligence and thoughtfulness. Later in the novel, however, as Jonas's training begins to alienate him from the community, Asher's and Fiona's behavior during the war game shows the lack of understanding that results from their lack of historical awareness. The revelation that Fiona is training in release serves as a final indication of how Jonas has grown apart from the conventions and cruelties of his society.

Discuss the role of solitude or isolation in Jonas's experiences.

Answer: At one point in the novel, Lowry references the positive aspects of solitude as learned by Jonas through transmitted memories. However, for the most part, the effect of Jonas's role as Receiver-in-Training is to isolate him and make him experience the more negative aspects of his society. Because he has been trained to act always as a member of a group, he now learns that to honor The Receiver increases his burdens by adding the pain of loneliness to the weight of his memories. In his role as sage, he will always stand apart. He will develop his own sense of right and wrong, of good and evil, based on unique experiences that the regular society never has. His distanced vantage point allows him to critique the society more fully than he would have been able to do had he remained a normal member of the collective.

Write a second ending for The Giver that tells the fate of the community after Jonas's departure.

Answer: This question asks you to engage in a creative exercise. One might address the community's reaction to the loss of Jonas and what the people and The Giver are thinking as the people search for him. More importantly, one might consider the community's reaction to the return of their memories and about The Giver's attempt to help them. Such an ending could be written from the perspective of The Giver or the perspective of one of the members of the community, such as Jonas's sister Lily or his friend Asher. The narrative could then describe whether the community chose to reject or keep Sameness or what small risks the community began to take in order to appreciate individuality and the chance of developing a stronger, more free society.

How does Jonas's training as The Receiver of Memory serve as a coming-of-age story?

Answer: Jonas and his society proceed from the assumption that after the Ceremony of Twelve, all of the new Twelves are no longer mere children, although they stay with their family units and continue their schooling. However, Jonas's training reveals that after just twelve years of life, he has not acquired the wisdom necessary to approach his life as an adult. In his interactions with The Giver, he acquires this wisdom and mentally ages rapidly through his experiences of war, death, and starvation. This approach to development contrasts with that of Fiona and Asher, both of whom remain in a sense like children because their experiences do not grant them self-awareness and maturity.

The Giver Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Giver is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Should Jonas have asked them to stop playing the game of bad guys and good guys? CHAPTER 17

No, I don't think Jonas should ask them to stop playing. These kids cannot handle the emotional trauma  of forgetting their lunch let alone understanding emotions behind war and death. They simply would not comprehend what Jonas is talking...

Chapter 13-16

Jonas advocates choices, as well as real family units rather than created family units.

why didnt the game of good guys and bad guys that jonas's friends play seem harmless to jonas anymore? chapter 17

When he looks for Asher at the play area, he sees Tanya, an Eleven, being play-ambushed in a game by Asher. For the first time, Jonas recognizes this not only as a game of good guys and bad guys but also as a game of war. He watches the children...

Study Guide for The Giver

The Giver study guide contains a biography of Lois Lowry, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis of The Giver.

• About The Giver
• The Giver Summary
• The Giver Video
• Character List

Essays for The Giver

The Giver essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Giver by Lois Lowry.

• The Cost of Security
• A Lonely Mind With a Heavy Burden: Hope in The Giver
• Is the Society of The Giver a Utopia?
• Reproductive Regulation and the Construction of Relationships for Populace Control in The Giver and “Pop Squad”

Lesson Plan for The Giver

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Giver
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Giver Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Giver

• Introduction
• Analysis of themes
• Literary significance and reception

About the Book

Themes and Analysis

By lois lowry.

'The Giver' is, at times, a dark and disturbing novel, touching on themes of loss and control.

Written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

At the same time, it’s also a novel of hope , depicted through the beauty of colors seen for the first time and joys never before experienced. It’s a novel that ends with an image that alludes to the enduring nature of the human spirit and future possibilities.

The Giver Themes 

Memory .

It’s through memory in The Giver that the community leaders exert control over everyone else. Collective memory is a thing of the past. Wars, loves, hate, joy, and any remnant of the time before the community is lost. Lowry was interested in using this novel to explore what happens when all memories disappear. Does a happier community emerge when the dark parts of human history are lost?

Despite the community’s desire to leave their past behind, the elders also understood the age-old proverb that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. This meant that someone had to remember. The Giver plays the role, and Jonas was meant to take it up after him. He’s there to make sure that no one starts down a dangerous path that might lead to consequences known only to him. 

Free Will/Control 

Jonas’s community is nothing without control. The community leaders exert control by making everyone believe that total obedience is the only way to live. The rules are their lives, and there is no choice but to follow them. There are rules for every part of life, ensuring that free will is surprised and the individual. 

The Individual 

This final theme is tied directly to the other most prominent themes in the novel. There are moments in Lois Lowry’s novel where Jonas notes the individuality of his friends, family members, and most importantly himself. Jonas feels different than his friends do, and he knows he sees the world differently as well. This is something that proves to be correct when at the Ceremony of the Twelve, he’s singled out to be the new Receiver of Memory. It’s the first time in his life, and in the lives of the other children, that they’ve had their differences highlighted. Some are more suited for one job or another.

Jonas only becomes more of an individual, something the community doesn’t encourage, as the novel progresses. He’s given memories, something unique in his world.  One of the more powerful moments of the novel comes at the end when Jonas realizes that he’s making memories of his own, ones that belong only to him. 

Analysis of Key Moments in The Giver 

• Jonas sees an airplane, learning that there’s life outside the community. 
• His father brings Gabriel home. 
• Jonas feels the “stirrings.”  
• Jonas goes to the Ceremony of the Twelve and becomes the next Receiver of Memory. 
• Jonas meets the Giver and learns about good and bad experiences.  
• He gives Gabriel memories to calm him down. 
• Jonas starts to see colors. 
• He learns about the Giver’s daughter, the previous receiver of memory, and her release. 
• Jonas learns what “releasing” means . 
• The Giver and Jonas make a plan for him to escape the community. 
• Jonas runs away with Gabriel. 
• Jonas and Gabriel sled down the hill towards Elsewhere. 

Style, Literary Devices, and Tone in The Giver 

Lowry’s narrative style in The Giver is straightforward and clear. It comes across as a simple recitation of events, almost journalistic. The plot progresses from the beginning to the end of the story with very few exceptions. Lowry uses clear language that’s easy to understand throughout the book, solidifying her choice to direct this novel towards young adults. Additionally, the simple language helps describe the simple lives of Jonas, his family, and his friends. Everyone lives preplanned, organized lives, similar to how Lowry’s writing depicts them. This is also how one might describe the tone. It is direct in most parts of the novel and, as it progresses, becomes more emotional and distressed as Jonas learns more about his community. 

It’s not until the Giver comes into the narrative and starts relaying memories to Jonas that the style changes at all. The memories are moving, mysterious, and strange. This changes the way that Lowry writes and the images she creates. In these passages, and in all those in which Jonas is thinking about his world, Lowry uses rhetorical questions. These are questions to which the speaker does not expect an answer. Jonas is filled with them regarding every element of his life. 

Lowry makes use of several other literary devices in The Giver as well. These include euphemisms or phrases that stand-in for something uncomfortable or difficult. For example, “release” is used instead of kill. This is a great example of how the language Lowry selected for the community reveals something about them as much as it tries to hide the truth. When the families gather together to share their feelings, they’re doing the exact opposite. Lowry employs a cliff hanger at the end of the book when she chooses not to reveal what happens to Jonas and Gabe. 

Symbols in The Giver

The apple .

The apple is a symbol for all that’s missing in the community. Its red color, something that’s lost to everyone in the community except Jonas, represents freedom, human nature, and emotions. The red of the apple also appears in other parts of his life. It comes to represent desire when he sees it in Fiona’s hair, and then later. It features in the rainbow that the Giver shares with him. It reemphasizes the entire range of human experiences and emotions that Jonas, his friends, and family members are missing out on.

Gabriel 

Gabriel is different as Jonas is different . This is something that Jonas recognizes right away. He has pale eyes (later revealed to be blue, like Jonas’s), and Jonas can tell he’s far more thoughtful. The child represents innocence and acts as a powerful contrast to the emotionless community that chooses to kill him. For Jonas, Gabriel also represents hope. Hope for a better life, one filled with love, and one where a child can grow up without the threat of being “released.” 

Sled Ride 

The sled rid is the first memory that Jonas receives from the Giver. It’s one of pure joy, untouched by anything unpleasant. It’s a wonderful experience that does not prepare him for the terrible memories to follow. After receiving the memory, Jonas dreams about the sled ride and the unknown destination at the hill’s bottom. There’s something in the distance that he’s riding towards, but he doesn’t know what it is. It symbolizes his future and the new life that waits for him when he escapes the community at the end of the novel. 

About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

Cite This Page

Baldwin, Emma " The Giver Themes and Analysis 📖 " Book Analysis , https://bookanalysis.com/lois-lowry/the-giver/analysis/ . Accessed 23 March 2024.

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The Study Blog :

How to write the giver essay [summary, themes + topics included].

By Evans Nov 28 2022

Have you ever wondered how life would be if there was no pain in the world? Imagine if you did not have to struggle to understand what to pursue in life, who to have as your partner, or even the number of children to have since all these have already been decided for you! The Giver gives us a glimpse into such a world. If you have been tasked with writing an essay on The Giver , worry not for we will help you not only understand this thought-provoking book but also how to write The Giver essay .

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A summary of The Giver

T he Giver is about a futuristic community that exists in a world where there are no feelings and everyone is practically the same. The Elders control everything that one has to do. At the age of 12, every child is assigned a job depending on their talents and capabilities. When the time comes to marry, someone will be assigned someone who suits you. This means that this Sameness society feels no pain, no war, or hunger (some pretty goods not to feel, huh!) unfortunately, this also means that they do not experience love, sex, music, or anything of the sort. Jonas is selected to become the Receiver, meaning he gets to keep all of the community’s past memories. As a result, he gets to feel things that almost everyone in the community has never felt. Unable to watch the community continue living in its ignorance, he chooses to run away so that people can finally feel things.

How to write an essay on The Giver

When writing an essay on The Giver , you have to, first of all, take time to read the book. It is quite difficult to write on a subject that you do not understand. Immerse yourself in the world of Jonas and his Sameness community.

Find the right angle

Once you are done reading the book, you can now find the right angle for your essay. Finding the right angle will help give you a clear picture of how your essay is going to look like. If you have no idea how to find the right angle for your essay, do not worry, we will help you with some of the essay topics that you can choose from.

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The Giver essay topics

Is the giver a dystopian or utopian community.

The community in The Giver is not your normal kind of community. This is a community that can be seen as either a utopian community in that nothing bad ever “happens” here or dystopian in that people in the community are not allowed to experience things such as music, love, color, or sex! In your essay, you choose to view this community as either of the two.

Symbolism in  The Giver

Symbolism is always a safe choice when it comes to writing a literature essay. The Giver comes loaded with its symbolism, from using biblical names for its characters to the symbolism of the apple and the eye among others.

How Jonas’ community managed to create a society of sameness

It is not easy to create a community that is completely different from the norm. This is an important part of the book and it deserves as much attention as you can give it. Explore various ways that the Elders managed to modify behavior, punish rebels, and avoid an uproar.

The power of words

Words are powerful (so have we been told time and time again). Words can be the greatest tool of propaganda. It is also the greatest tool that has been used time and time again to incite people, either for good or for worse. The Giver uses specific words that help distort the reality of the community. These words include release, nurturer, and elsewhere among others. You can choose to discuss how these words have been used to keep people satisfied with a very dull life.

Transformation

Perhaps Jonas is the character that encounters the greatest transformation in the community, from a young, ignorant child who’s scared of the kind of job that will be assigned to him to being the Receiver who is not willing to keep lying to everyone in the community. You can come up with such an incredible essay just by focusing on Jonas' transformation.

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• My Preferences
• My Reading List
• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Book Summary
• About The Giver
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Chapters 1-2
• Chapters 3-5
• Chapters 6-8
• Chapters 9-10
• Chapters 11-12
• Chapters 13-15
• Chapters 16-17
• Chapters 18-20
• Chapters 21-23
• Lois Lowry Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes in The Giver
• Style and Language in The Giver
• What Are Utopias and Dystopias?
• A Note about Infanticide and Euthanasia
• Full Glossary for The Giver
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of Sameness in Jonas' community.

2. Compare the relationship Jonas has with The Giver to the relationship he has with his mother, father, and sister.

3. Explain how Jonas' community is hypocritical.

4. Explain why feelings and memories have been eliminated from Jonas' community.

5. Compare The Giver to Robert Cormier's After the First Death or to Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl."

6. Why is Jonas alienated by his friends after being chosen as the next Receiver of Memory?

7. List the ways in which Jonas' community appears to be a utopia and explain why the things on your list contribute to perfection.

8. Discuss whether Jonas' assignment as the next Receiver of Memory is an honor or a punishment.

9. What are some of the euphemisms used in present-day society? Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using euphemisms.

10. Discuss the value of rules and laws in present-day society.

11. The people in Jonas' community gave up their freedom and individuality to live in a safe environment. Discuss whether or not the community is a safe environment in which to live. How would you define what a safe environment is?

12. What does Jonas take with him on his journey at the end of the book, and why does he take it with him?

13. In the past, and especially in the nineteenth century, utopian communities such as Brook Farm, New Harmony, Oneida, and Shaker settlements were established in the United States. Research one of these communities and then compare it to Jonas' community.

14. How are the people in Jonas' community interdependent?

15. How can Jonas' community be compared to Nazi Germany under Hitler?

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Order bidding, ‘the giver’ essay topics that you will adore.

‘The Giver’ is an excellent student book that can be read as an initial introduction to anti-utopian literature. History will provide important discussions on certain ‘The Giver’ literary essay topics, the concept of freedom, and much more. The following topics will help students create interesting papers!

Discussion ‘The Giver’ Midterm Essay Topics

• Discuss character development, plot, perspectives, and the theme conveyed in ‘The Giver.’
• Discuss some of the socio-historical circumstances that gave rise to ‘The Giver.’
• Discuss dystopia in ‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry.
• Discuss the author’s purpose in writing this book.
• Discuss how Jonas changes throughout the book. What evidence do you have of this change?
• Discuss how Jonas is different from other characters in ‘The Giver.’
• Discuss the community in ‘The Giver’ as a dystopian society.
• Discuss Jonas’s decision to leave the community to go elsewhere.
• Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the book ‘The Giver.’
• Discuss the value of memory in ‘The Giver.’

Compare and Contrast ‘The Giver’ Book Essay Topics

• Compare the movies ‘The Truman Show’ and ‘The Giver.’
• Compare and contrast ‘The Giver’ book and movie.
• Compare narrative mimicking in ‘The Giver’ and ‘The Hunger Games.’
• Compare the book ‘The Giver’ to now and then.
• Compare ‘1984’ by George Orwell and ‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry.
• Compare society in ‘The Giver’ vs. our society.
• Compare Hutcheon’s ‘Beginning to Theorize Adaptation’ and the 2014 film version of ‘The Giver’ in relation to Lois Lowry’s original novel.
• Compare and contrast ‘Brave New World’ and ‘The Giver.’

Possible Research Topics on ‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry

• The importance of memory in ‘The Giver.’
• The relationship between pain and pleasure.
• The importance of the individual in ‘The Giver.’
• Rules and control in ‘The Giver.’
• Rituals in ‘The Giver.’
• Individuality and freedom of choice in ‘The Giver.’
• The dangers of stability and predictability in ‘The Giver.’
• The importance of human emotion in ‘The Giver.’
• The relationship between memory and wisdom in ‘The Giver.’
• Utopia and dystopia in ‘The Giver.’

A Few Words About ‘The Giver’

‘The Giver’ is a notable work in the field of children’s literature of the 20th century and the first dystopian novel written specifically for adolescents. In 2014, a movie based on the book was released on world screens, starring Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges. Unlike the adult anti-utopia of George Orwell, in ‘The Giver’ there is no external struggle and violence. All discoveries and all struggles take place in the inner world of Jonas. Nevertheless, the plot of the book, with its unexpected twists and merciless details, keeps the reader in suspense and breaks the usual stereotypes.

Immediately after the release in 1993, the novel caused a great deal of controversy. ‘The Giver’ even got placed on the list of books that many parents tried to ban: they believed that such serious topics should not be discussed with young readers. Despite criticism, however, the book was included in the middle school curriculum of some American schools and received many prestigious awards, including the Newbery Medal of the American Library Association.

If you have chosen a ‘The Giver’ essay topic on conflict or any other aspect, but don’t know whether can I write my essay , ask for help our service. You won’t regret this decision, as we offer professional writing assistance. If you decide to succeed in your studies, place an order on our site right now!

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The Individual vs. Society

Jonas's community is founded on the idea of Sameness—the elimination of difference in its members. In order to achieve this Sameness, individualism is discouraged, and rules and discipline matter most. Jonas learns from an early age that both breaking rules and being different is considered shameful. By celebrating group birthdays, allowing only one kind of clothing and haircut, assigning spouses, jobs, children and names, and eliminating sexual relations, Jonas's society stifles the things that allow…

Freedom and Choice

In Jonas's community, no one makes choices. All choices about the community were made in the distant past when Sameness was created, and any additional changes involve painfully slow bureaucratic procedures. Without choice, no one suffers the consequences that come from making wrong choices, but they also don't experience the joys that come with making right ones. By sacrificing the freedom of choice, community members are guaranteed a stable, painless life. Consequently, the people lead…

Feeling and Emotion

The people of Jonas's community don't understand genuine emotion or pain, because their lifestyles allow no opportunity to experience it. Birthmothers are not allowed to raise their own children. Sex is forbidden and sexual urges medicated away. Adults are not allowed to choose their own spouses. Identical twins are not both allowed to survive because they would be too close emotionally. Every decision made in the community serves a purely practical purpose and is based…

Coming of Age

The annual December ceremony, when the "birthdays" of all children are celebrated simultaneously, is a ritual full of rites of passage. As children grow older, these rites allow them more responsibility; at eight, for example, they are given pockets and stuffed animals are taken away. At Nine, children are given bicycles. At Twelve, children are assigned jobs and adult status is conferred upon them. After Twelve, age is not counted. Yet these rites of passage…

Sometime in the past, Jonas's community decided to give up their memories in order to eliminate the pain and regret that came with them. They were trying to create a totally peaceful and harmonious society without conflict, war, or hate by eliminating emotion entirely. They succeeded: the community is almost perfectly stable and totally safe. Yet Jonas realizes that without memories, a person can't learn from mistakes, celebrate accomplishments, know love or happiness or any…

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Essays on The Giver

Prompt examples for "the giver" essays, dystopian society.

Examine the characteristics of the dystopian society depicted in "The Giver." How does the society control its citizens, and what are the consequences of this extreme control?

Individuality and Memory

Discuss the themes of individuality and memory in the novel. How does the absence of memory and emotions impact the characters' sense of self, and what does the importance of memory reveal about the human experience?

The Role of the Receiver

Analyze the role of the Receiver of Memory in the community. How does Jonas's training and experiences challenge the conformity of the society, and what does it teach him about the power of knowledge and emotions?

Freedom and Rebellion

Explore the themes of freedom and rebellion in "The Giver." How do Jonas and others in the community resist the oppressive rules and seek a more liberated existence, and what risks are involved?

Ethical Dilemmas

Discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by Jonas and other characters as they confront the reality of their society. What moral decisions do they make, and what are the implications of their choices?

Symbolism and Color

Analyze the symbolism of color and its significance in the novel. How does the absence of color represent the lack of individuality and emotion in the community, and what does the introduction of color symbolize?

Hook Examples for "The Giver" Essays

Anecdotal hook.

"As I ventured into the seemingly utopian world of 'The Giver,' I couldn't help but reflect on the price of conformity, the value of individuality, and the profound consequences of memory."

Rhetorical Question Hook

"What if you lived in a society where all memories, emotions, and choices were controlled? Lois Lowry's 'The Giver' prompts us to explore the boundaries of human experience and the cost of a so-called perfect world."

Startling Quote Hook

"'When people have the freedom to choose, they choose wrong.' These words from the novel encapsulate the central theme of 'The Giver' and its exploration of the human desire for both freedom and security."

Dystopian Elements Hook

"In the dystopian community depicted in 'The Giver,' individuality is sacrificed for sameness, and memories of the past are erased. Explore the chilling aspects of this controlled society."

Narrative Hook

"Step into the shoes of Jonas as he embarks on a journey to challenge the norms of his society and uncover the truth. This narrative captures the essence of Lois Lowry's thought-provoking storytelling."

Character Development Hook

"Witness Jonas' transformation from a compliant citizen to a courageous individual who questions the status quo. Analyzing the character arc adds depth to the narrative."

Ethical Dilemmas Hook

"What ethical dilemmas do the characters face in 'The Giver,' and how do these dilemmas resonate with contemporary moral questions? Exploring the novel's ethical dimensions prompts reflection on our own values."

Memory and Emotion Hook

"How do memories and emotions shape human identity, and what happens when they are suppressed? Delving into the role of memory in the story sheds light on the characters' experiences."

Utopian vs. Dystopian Hook

"What does 'The Giver' reveal about the complexities of utopian ideals and the dangers of conformity? Examining the contrast between utopia and dystopia offers valuable insights."

Lois Lowry's Literary Impact Hook

"How does 'The Giver' contribute to Lois Lowry's literary impact and her legacy in young adult literature? Exploring the novel's place in the genre reveals its enduring significance."

Character Analysis of Jonas in The Giver

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The Significance of Career Assignment in The Giver

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Plot Summary of "The Giver" by Lois Lowry

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Censorship, Control and Conformity in "The Giver"

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Novel, Young Adult Fiction, Children's Literature, Science Fiction, Soft Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Utopian Fiction

Asher, Jonas, The Giver, Fiona, Gabriel, Lily

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Home / Essay Samples / Literature / Books / The Giver

The Giver Essay Examples

"the giver" compare and contrast: the individual vs. society.

To analyze The Giver, this compare and contrast essay delves into the striking differences between the world of Sameness and the modern world, where people are free to make their own choices, though often constrained by societal expectations and norms. In Jonas’s world, everyone in...

Did Jonas Die in 'The Giver'

I will try to find answer whether Jonas died or not in the ‘The Giver’ dystopia essay. In the book 'The Giver', we read about a guy call Jonas. Jonas was the main character of the story who stands to take a role of been...

The Giver Vs Steelheart Which is More Dehumanizing

“ Jonas was forced to flee.” (Lowry 163). This was from The Giver and A Giver is an excellent form of a dystopian society. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson and The Giver by Lois Lowry showed strong dystopian characteristics of living in fear, Constance surveillance, and...

Importance of Memory in the Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is a sci-fi type novel about a society where everyone is assigned a specific job to do and no one is allowed to have feelings or memories of anything. Society is dictated by a few people in charge and the...

The Giver: a Sociological Analysis of a Dystopian Society

The novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, provides an interesting sociological analysis essay example of a seemingly perfect society that eliminates negative aspects such as pain, war, hatred, and fear, but at the cost of personal freedom and choice, as well as strict rules and...

Analysis of the Importance of the Individuality in the Giver by Lois Lowry

In the novel, The Giver, Lois Lowry uses a community of “Sameness” to show how important individuality is. She wrote this book after her father had developed Alzheimer’s, so she understood how painful it was to live in a world without memory. Lois Lowry uses...

The Parallels Between the Society in the Giver by Louis Lowery and Our Society

In Louis Loweryś ¨The Giver¨ we are introduced to a utopian society, but quickly realize, it is acutally a dystopian society. This community, and our community, has many similarities, and differences. The society in ¨The Giver¨ is controlled by a very small group of individuals,...

Reading Reflection on the Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver is an ethically determined and intriguing anecdote about a young man called Jonas who lives in a general public free of wrongdoing and bitterness. At 12 years old, kids are relegated their employments, which they will prepare for and improve the situation whatever...

Overview of Lois Lowry’s Novel the Giver

The Giver is a youthful grown-up tragic novel by Lois Lowry. Lois Lowry is an American author, who is credited with more than thirty kids' books. Lois was conceived in 1937 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She started her profession as a picture taker, at that point...

The Truman Show and the Giver: a Comparative Analysis

By looking into the movie 'The Giver' and the tv show 'The Truman Show', it tends to be inferred that both the main characters worked for freedom and tried reaching to the real world. freedom can be destroyed by the use of control. Governments control...

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About The Giver

United States

Young adult fiction, Dystopian novel, Science fiction

The Giver is a morally driven and interesting story about a young boy called Jonas who lives in a society free of crime and sadness. At the age of 12, children are assigned their jobs, which they will train for and do for the rest of their lives. Everything is chosen; from your parents to your partner.

The Newchild Gabriel, The Sled, The River

Characters, The Giver, Jonas’s father, Jonas’s mother, Lily, Gabriel, Asher, Fiona, Larissa, Larissa

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