Lois Lowry wrote “The Giver” in 1993, immediately winning the John Newberry Medal award for excellence in children’s literature. Her novel was banned in several states because parents found the story to be “inappropriate” for young children. The Giver,” which takes place in a futuristic society, deals poignantly with the issues of death, the ability to choose, and courage. These issues, while intense and straightforward, are critical for children to understand as they prepare to enter the adult world. Lowry’s novel is the perfect introduction to “real life” for children because it teaches them things that they will not be taught in a classroom – things that will help them throughout their life.
“The Giver” is a story about Jonas, who lives in a community that idolizes and promotes sameness. When Jonas is assigned the job position of Receiver of Memory, the person who formerly occupied the position, the Giver, begins to give Jonas memories of the past. It is through these memories that Jonas begins to understand what death is, the importance of having a choice, and the value of courage.
The first major theme in “The Giver” is the theme of death. Jonas understands the concept of “release,” which is what he imagines to be a peaceful “walking away” to a different community (2). As the story progresses, Jonas is enlightened in his understanding that to “release” someone from the community means to kill them. Jonas is faced with this issue because both his father and his friend Fiona begin to release people in their own professions, and they appear to feel no guilt about this. The Giver reminds Jonas that his father and friend simply do not understand what they are doing because they have been taught to feel no emotions. Jonas’ understanding of death grows as he is given the memory of a painful battlefield and forced to experience pain: “One of Jonas’ arms was immobilized with pain, and he could see through his own torn sleeve something that looked like ragged flesh and splintery bone” (119).
The second theme of “The Giver” is the importance of choice. Jonas is taught throughout his life that he cannot be trusted to make his own choice, lest he make the wrong one. Jonas is assigned everything from his parents and sister, to the bicycle he receives, to his job position. When Jonas begins receiving memories, he realizes that he wants to be able to choose things. He tells the giver: “If everything’s the same, then there aren’t any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and DECIDE things! A blue tunic, or a red one?” (97). In Jonas’ realization that he wants to have a choice, he begins to understand how his society may not be as wonderful as he previously believed. Jonas has never been able to decide anything, and he realizes that he is missing out on a certain amount of self control that he should have been able to develop by the freedom of choice.
The third major theme in “The Giver” is the theme of courage. Jonas understands this when he is the only person who can save baby Gabe from being killed. When Jonas takes Gabe in the middle of the night, he demonstrates incredible courage. Jonas does not understand how they will get where they are going, or where they will go, but he knows that he cannot sit back and allow Gabe to be killed. Jonas’ bravery teaches readers that although courage is difficult, it is always worthwhile.
“The Giver” is an important novel to allow children to read because of the lessons it teaches. Children will eventually face death, and need to be prepared for the experience. Instead of being shocked and horrified at their grandmother’s funeral, “The Giver” provides children with some sort of realization that death is normal and something that should not be feared. The theme of choice is important because it helps children to understand the importance of being able to choose their own destiny and life path. No one can make their career or marriage choices for them – they must decide that alone. By understanding that choice is important, children will be more apt to make wise decisions. Finally, the element of courage in the novel is vital to children because it inspires them to bravery. By realizing that Jonas was only 11 and was able to save someone’s life, children will realize that they, too, can have an impact on someone’s world.
