Lit. Analysis Response to The Giver by Lois Lowry

1. The book starts off with Jonas becoming a 12 and is selected to be the receiver of memory. The previous receiver of memory, The Giver, transmits all memories of things such as snow and a sled to Jonas. Throughout the book, Jonas tries to save a baby named Gabriel from not being able to experience any of these memories. He takes Garbirel to "Elsewhere" where they discover a place much different from their community. Then they return home where everyone is waiting for them.

2. One major theme of this book is being individual is important. It's okay to be different in a world like ours and that's what we should do. Lois Lowry portrays this through Jonas who goes out on a limb and takes a risk to help Gabriel which isn't allowed in their community. Also, this book has a theme of, if you don't have the knowledge, you can't experience. We must learn about the things we want to do. Lois Lowry portrays this through the "memories" that is given to Jonas which he had never experienced before.

3. Jonas, the protagonist is a dynamic character. In the beginning of the book, Jonas went along with ha this community believed. He did what he was expected to do. Later on in the book, Jonas took risks, even if it meant disobeying the rules. This way, he found a whole new world outside of the community.

4. Gabriel was a symbol of hope, hope for Jonas and for the community. Gabriel wasn't a normal infant because he had breathing problems. Usually in their community, infants like this wouldn't last long. However, Jonas's family took him in and Gabriel was able to receive memories from Jonas. This symbolizes that anyone could receive these memories and if so, the community would and could be different.

5. I chose this book because my friend read it and said it was interesting. As soon as I picked it up and read it, I couldn't stop. The book kept me wanting to read more.

6. I think this book can connect to my own life. The memories that Jonas receives of snow and a boat and a sled, I know of, and I have experienced it. I also think that their community related to our society in a sense that society tells us to be something, but it's up to us to be ourselves.

7. I expect to remember that's it's good to be different and to take risks. I want to remember this because I don't usually take risks because I'm afraid to and because I should be different, no matter how people see me as. One passage from the book I'd like to share is when Jonas helps Gabriel sleep better. "Once more, toward dawn, the new child woke and cried out. Again Jonas went to him. This time he quite deliberately placed his hands firmly on Gabriel's back, and released the rest of the calming day on the lake. Again Gabriel slept." It's the slightest of knowledge of something that helps us feel a certain way.