The Giver By Lois Lowry: Response

Nyck Maxim

Mrs. Purcell

Honors Government 11

Due April 5th, 2015

“The Giver” Response “The Giver” by Lois Lowry is a third person, limited omniscient story about a young boy who overcomes mass brain-washing and strives to overcome the dystopia he lives in. The book explains the faults in true equality through multiple ways, and how it can drastically backfire on the people. Some of the keys themes include the fact that individuals chose “Sameness” over individuality, and security over freedom, as they are made to be like robots. Common traits that make people human are beyond comprehension. The entire community is brought up in a very specific way, and if they are too different or disagree with how they’re brought up, they are killed. "For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure." (Chapter 1, pg. 2). The main character, Jonas, is eventually brought up to be the “Receiver” whose job is to

Stories like these, fiction or nonfiction, give people a better idea of certain directions governments could go. They show that positives always have negatives to go with them. It helps people realize what works and what doesn’t work. It also helps people critically think about what could and should happen ever more than they do now. People often have a solid mind set, that there is only one way to do things, but those people often barely scratch the surface of what they “want”. Critical thinking helps. “The Giver” is a very good book that offers perspective in its own special way that contributes to society in great ways. These sorts of books always relate to reality in one way or another, and never get enough credit. The reason we have history classes is to inform us and often make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. “The Giver” is one book of many that teaches us about a horrible event and enabling us to avoid it before it even