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The Giver

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The Giver, written by author Lois Lowry, was published in 1993 after being inspired by her father’s memory loss in his old age. From this sad occurrence, sparked an idea to write about a world where nobody has experienced a bad memory. That very idea later became a tale many have grown to love called, The Giver, which to this very day is a success, earning itself honorable prizes such as the William Allen White Award along with a Newbery Medal and even had been granted its own movie adaptation. Lowry gave the incredible book three accompanying titles, completing the quartet. Read by over twelve million, it’s widely considered to have started of the dystopian genre’s popularity in young adult fiction.

The plot is about a young boy named Jonas and the world in which he lives. Jonas and his community have never seen animals, snow, nor hills among other regular sights in our day and age. Their lives and environment are controlled, choices are made for them by the Elders from the day you’re born and everything said and done is closely regulated. Concepts that seem normal and of common sense to us, are nonexistent in their livelihoods altogether. Oddly enough, when a child turns twelve at their Ceremony of Twelve, they are considered adults and are given specially assigned jobs. Protagonist Jonas, is selected for the special role as the Receiver, whose task is to retain memories from long ago. A burdening occupation, as he can’t tell anyone about what he learns, the only person who …show more content…

Over time he learns to value memories and that they should be cherished instead of forgotten. As his successor, Jonas is shown by the Giver new ways of thinking and feeling, but ultimately, Jonas makes the choice to make his life his own, an option only he has been

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