Analysis: The Giver

Despite some sense of ongoing scrutiny of The Giver I have always been a big fan. Although I agree that the subject of infanticide may be a little mature for the intended reader of this book, I definitely think it is a great classic. The story starts with Jonas going through his daily routines that are expected of him from society with little or no feelings. As the day of job assignment for the twelve year olds approaches it becomes evident that the citizens have a sense of sameness. Each family is usually consistent of a mom and dad who are matched together by the government and two children, one boy and one girl. Because of Jonas’ dads job at the nurturing center their family begins to take care baby Gabriel. Like Jonas, Gabriel has light eyes that are very rare in their society.

After the highly anticipated job assignments, Jonas struggles with being the chosen one to be Receiver of Memory. Once he begins his job he acquires knowledge from the giver and his memories that no one else knows. Jonas is introduced to colors and the feeling of love and is frustrated that no one else gets to experience these great things. On the other hand, the giver is forced to transfer feelings of death, starvation, and loneliness that inflict pain of Jonas that he has never felt before. Despite the pain, Jonas realized how empty his society is.

Jonas decides he has to change his society once The Giver reveals that when a baby is released it is actually killed by an injection to the head. The anger and hate Jonas begins to feel causes them to create a plan to escape. By doing this his new memories will be left for all the people to have and discover. Jonas leaves with Gabriel to save him from being released and they make their way to an outside village decorated for Christmas.

I think I find The Giver to be such an interesting book because of the evolution of the suppression of feelings. Because of the governments control Jonas and the other citizens had no idea what they were missing out on. I think an element of fear is what guided the government. Perhaps they thought it is better to feel nothing than to have your heartbroken. Once jonas discovers feelings of love and happiness he knows that a life without them is not the way a society should live.