Independent+Novel+Study-Plot+Summary


 * __ The Giver by Lois Lowry __**
 * __ Plot Summary __**

The title has quite an impact on the novel. The novel is called “The Giver”, who is one of the main supporting characters in the book. The protagonist, Jonas, is given many different memories by the Giver. This varies from merry memories, to horrifying and gruesome ones. The setting of the book is very mysterious, there is no time period, there is no official location, and the mood and atmosphere is very ominous. The story is told by a semi-omniscient narrator, as he knows some information that no other characters know about, but does not reveal everything. The central conflict is that their community has no genuine feelings, and Jonas wants to make a change, he wants to change everything. But to do so, he must face many hardships such as both physical and mental pain. The climax is near the very end of the novel where Jonas sees a glimpse of a house; he then knew that the new generation would soon begin. I enjoyed the plot very much as it was quite different from other novels. It’s very different as the novel begins with no conflict but then begins with a main conflict and then many mini-crisis’s are added. Overall this novel was quite good as the plot was one of the more interesting one’s I have read.

In the community Jonas lives in, life is safe, orderly, and predictable. Overall, his world is flawless. There is no snow or sunshine, no colors or music, no animals or nature. Most importantly, there are no genuine feelings. Rules are strictly followed, and people rarely make decisions on their own. At the aging Ceremony, Jonas and all other Eleven’s are becoming Twelve in December, they are to receive assignments where they are matched to a particular field of profession. Jonas has been selected for the most honourable assignment in the entire community. He has been assigned to become the new Receiver of Memories. To become the Receiver of Memories, one must have all of the particular traits; one must possess the crucial traits of intelligence, integrity, courage, and the ability to see beyond. The Receiver of Memories is a single person in the whole community that possesses all memories from the past. The job of the Receiver is to hold on to the memories until the person can pass it on to the next Receiver. The Receiver must also have the responsibility to shoulder the burden of sadness and pain that some memories will bring. Jonas begins his training with the previous Receiver whom he calls the Giver. In the beginning, the Giver begins with happy memories such as a downhill sled ride. But what Jonas did not realize was that Jonas was about to enter a world of pain and sorrow. Gradually, Jonas discovers the events and feelings the community is missing out on. He realizes it’s unfair for him to be the only one to experience these glorious feelings. He begins to understand that the community, including himself, has no true feelings, but his world has changed. After experiencing many diverse memories that has changed him, he realizes that the community must change as well. Together with the Giver, they create a plan to change the whole community, although it does have its risks and tolls. But Jonas’s willpower to change the community overcomes the risks and that he will not fail. Jonas decides to flee the community for a place called the Elsewhere. Once he flees to Elsewhere, the memories will slowly fade away from his mind and return to all of the community. If he were to succeed, the people will have access to all of the memories and would also give them knowledge of what they have been missing out on for their whole lives. Eventually, they will come to the same realization that Jonas has. But if he were to fail, the community will be in the same stagnant state they have been in for many years and for more to come. Finally, Jonas departs for the long and difficult journey to Elsewhere. Eventually coming across lights in the far distance, Jonas is confident that he has reached his final destination.