The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver

by Lois Lowry

The power of awareness, when Jonas is chosen as the receiver of awareness in a utopian society, everything changes for him. The concepts of suffering and love, war and peace, etc., make sense to Jonas.

Selection from the book.

The front-buttoned jacket was the first sign of Independence, the first very visible symbol of growing up. the bicycle at Nine, would be the powerful emblem of moving gradually out into the community, away from the protective family unit. Page 52

JONAS RECEIVER OF MEMORY

1. Go immediately at the end of school hours each day to the Annex entrance behind the House of the Old and present yourself to the attendant.

2. Go immediately to your dwelling at the conclusion of Training Hours each day 

3. From this moment you are exempted from rules governing rudeness. You may ask any question of a citizen and you will receive answers.

4. Do not discuss your training with any other member of the community, including parents and Elders. 

5. From this moment you are prohibited from dream-telling.

6. Except for illness or injury unrelated to your training, do not apply for any medication. 

7. You are not permitted to apply for release.

8. You may lie. Page 86

"This job has aged me"  page 96

why do you and I have to hold these memories? it gives us wisdom the giver replied. page 140 

Jonas reached the opposite side of the river, stopped briefly, and looked back. The community where his entire life had been lived lay behind him now, sleeping. At dawn, the ordinary, disciplined life he had always known would continue again, without him. The life where nothing was ever unexpected.Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without color, pain, or past. Page 207