The Plot

[[deleted user]]

After reading The Giver, I was a little disappointed. I mean, there was no real problem. There was the community, and then there was Elsewhere. There were no threats to Jonas' existence. He just wanted to get away so that he could find what was in his memories: something different.
However, it was a great, captivating story. I loved the whole idea, but I wish there was more.

[Kristen]

I agree. There was a lot of potential that was never realized.

You should probably skip the sequels if you didn't like the first one. #2 and 3 are essentially completely pointless and #4 is slightly less pointless than the first. Most of it is retelling the first book.

[Salsal]

Julia wrote: "After reading The Giver, I was a little disappointed. I mean, there was no real problem. There was the community, and then there was Elsewhere. There were no threats to Jonas' existence. He just wa..."
The problem, or conlfict, came when he realized the disadvantages of his society. He now possessed this new information which could completely alter everyone's way of life (so you could say that was a potential threat to his community?) but wasn't able to tell anyone of his memories or make them feel on any emotional level. I guess the problem was internal more than anything.

Has anyone seen the movie? I'd like to know your thoughts
Thanks

[Salsal]

Kristen wrote: "I agree. There was a lot of potential that was never realized.

You should probably skip the sequels if you didn't like the first one. #2 and 3 are essentially completely pointless and #4 is sligh..."

Hahaa this is so on point. #2 especially was just like...uh...

[Dramapuppy]

I agree with Salma. Knowing your community has no memories of choice and happiness isn't a problem? There are books with much less of a conflict than this. Giver contained Man vs. Self and Man vs. Society. Not every book has to have consent threats to the character's life.

The movie was disappointing. It should be have been black and white at the beginning. And they tried to add conflict that just didn't fit. This book doesn't adapt well.

[[deleted user]]

Salma wrote: "Julia wrote: "After reading The Giver, I was a little disappointed. I mean, there was no real problem. There was the community, and then there was Elsewhere. There were no threats to Jonas' existen..."

I understand this. However, I believe there should have been more to it. I feel like Jonas' true emotions were no properly grasped and that it just seems like he picked up and left. I think if there was more thought written out that it would have been tremendously improved.

[Dramapuppy]

Julia wrote: "Salma wrote: "Julia wrote: "After reading The Giver, I was a little disappointed. I mean, there was no real problem. There was the community, and then there was Elsewhere. There were no threats to ..."

It's kind of fitting that his emotions weren't truly grasped. Jonas, being twelve, didn't really grasp them himself.

[Salsal]

*Kind of off topic but didn't you hate the ending?!
I was emotionally split. At one point I loved the book and all but I hated that it ended so abruptly and without a hint of the future. Like come on!! I need to know what happens!! haha but then again I think it really symbolizes the message of the book which is Hope. There is hope :)

[Dramapuppy]

Salma wrote: "*Kind of off topic but didn't you hate the ending?!
I was emotionally split. At one point I loved the book and all but I hated that it ended so abruptly and without a hint of the future. Like come..."

Yeah, kind of. But I liked the open-endness. I sort of enjoy cliffhangers. The sequels were annoying. I didn't finish them.

[Kelly Brigid ♡]

Julia wrote: "After reading The Giver, I was a little disappointed. I mean, there was no real problem. There was the community, and then there was Elsewhere. There were no threats to Jonas' existence. He just wa..."

Somewhere in the middle, the book fell a little flat. The only reason why I gave this book 4 stars was because I loved the idea and concept of the book, but the overall story was too vague and boring. The Giver had a lot of potential that could have made it an amazing book.

[Kristen]

Salma wrote: "Has anyone seen the movie? I'd like to know your thoughts"

I thought the movie was pretty good. Not great and not terrible, but okay. It was certainly better than the book in my opinion.

[Kristen]

Dramapuppy wrote: " The sequels were annoying. I didn't finish them."

No loss. Most of the questions you were probably left with (as I was) were never answered anyway.

[Mary]

I am astonished - no real problem? A community that happily tells stories about hitting children who are having language development problems? A community that murders one of a pair of twins because they only want children one at a time? A community that plans to murder a child because he is not developing on a set schedule? A community that is totally suppressing sexuality? You might want to rethink your evaluation - this book is not just about Jonas fares personally, it is about how he perceives his community, and how it treats everyone.

[Dramapuppy]

Mary wrote: "I am astonished - no real problem? A community that happily tells stories about hitting children who are having language development problems? A community that murders one of a pair of twins beca..."

Agreed.

[[deleted user]]

I really like your take on this book. I didn't think of it that way even though I knew so as well. But was all Jonas could do is run away from the community, knowing that he could not change anyone else's opinion, because they are essentially brainwashed by the community? I keep feeling that there's something more that he could have done. I don't think running away solves the problem, let alone shows that there's a point.

[Dramapuppy]

Julia wrote: "I really like your take on this book. I didn't think of it that way even though I knew so as well. But was all Jonas could do is run away from the community, knowing that he could not change anyone..."

Thanks! When the Giver dies, the memories will be returned to the Community. And Jonas was saving Gabe, not just running away from his problems."

[Salsal]

Hey I have a really good recommendation that you should read its kind of similar to this problem its a short story. It is called The Ones Who walk away from Omelas. but has waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more meaning behind it! let me know if you like it. Heres a link http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/faculty/dun...

[[deleted user]]

Salma wrote: "Hey I have a really good recommendation that you should read its kind of similar to this problem its a short story. It is called The Ones Who walk away from Omelas. but has waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay ..."

That is incredible. This is a story that keeps you thinking and is very important. Thank you for posting this. I also think this relates well to The Giver.

[[deleted user]]

the sad thing about their community -- to me -- was how they were forced to suppress the stirrings of their heart (in the book: a pill to make their emotions go away; in the movie - it was an injection) -- they didn't even get a chance to pay attention to them (or be paid attention to) or understand them -- like I'm reading a book right now that actually values the stirrings/ movements of our hearts... but the word "stirrings" here refers not only to having special feelings for someone, but instead, to how we feel about what's going on in our lives and what we should do about it...it has its basis in making sense out of our experiences...it teaches these steps: B.U.T.:

Be aware of the stirrings
Understand clearly how to respond to them
Take action (if they're good inspirations) / or resist them
(if they're not good: temptations)

The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today (pg.51)

It goes on to use the title, the Giver, on pg. 60! :D
"What will happen in our lives and in our world when the recognition of these gifts begins to grow within us? When day after day we consciously choose to recognize these gifts and the Giver's love for us that is revealed through them?"

In this book of The Examen-- the "Giver" is not exactly the same as in the book called The Giver... although both give Wisdom...so write me back (or read the Examen book) to find out more... :)

[Emily]

I found the saddest part is how they release the Newborns and the Olds.
That was the problem for Jonas. That they weren't free to make a choice. All chances for free will was taken away from them. Like with colour, how sad is that? They cant see colour even though all of then have the capacity to do so, it was taken away from them anyways. and the stirrings, that was taken too. Any chance to be an individual was taken away from them. Jonas was somewhat like their keepsake. To hold the burnden of the past so that no one else had to. it doesn't seen really fair to leave that kind of weight on anyone, let alone a 12 year old boy.
I think there was 3 major things that bothered Jonas about the utopia he lived in: The Releases, suppressing the stirrings, and the inability for everyone else to feel anything.
That's what was wrong. People who read this book sometimes say that there was no problem with the society, but there was, and Jonas was the protagonist that wanted to set it straight, so give people freedom of choice back, even if it scared them.

[Saving People, Hunting Things~ The Family Business]

Sofi wrote: "The Giver novel is actually very similar to the Bible story of "Jonah and the Whale"

how is it similar?

[Saving People, Hunting Things~ The Family Business]

mm, the author said that she didn't consciously added any theological symbolism.
Are you in a Christian school?

[Kristen]

Sofi wrote: "Oh. We learned this in English class, the teacher was saying one: their names. The names Jonas originated form the name Jonah, the name meaning peace. In the end of both stories, they end up bringi..."

This story is nothing like the story of Jonah. The similarity in their names means nothing. If that were the case, 90% of the stories out there could be considered Biblical parallels.

Jonas wasn't attempting to bring peace to anyone. He was attempting to give freedom and choices back to the community, and he was attempting to save Gabe from being murdered. He understood that would probably mean a good bit of chaos.

Jonah left his "community" in order to tell people of a different (enemy) "community" about God. He was swallowed by the whale while trying to escape his calling.

I have no idea how anyone could think these stories are remotely similar.

[Ben]

Sofi wrote: "Oh. We learned this in English class, the teacher was saying one: their names. The names Jonas originated form the name Jonah, the name meaning peace. In the end of both stories, they end up bringi..."

Plus they were both swallowed by whales. Let's not leave that out.

lol. Sorry. I disagree with your teacher. I'm not seeing any similarities beyond coincidental.

[Jacm]

Dramapuppy wrote: "Julia wrote: "I really like your take on this book. I didn't think of it that way even though I knew so as well. But was all Jonas could do is run away from the community, knowing that he could not..."

Jonas is not simply running away to selfishly avoid the issues. The whole point is that if he leaves and a new receiver is not trained, the people in the community will receive the memories of the past and learn from their mistakes. He is actually being incredibly selfless.

There is SO much conflict in this book I find it hard to decide where to begin!

[Ahmed]

It's kind of nice you guys should really respect all the hard work the author put in

[Kristen]

Working hard on something does not guarantee it will be any good. When you publish (and make a buttload of money), you open yourself up to criticism. I doubt she's crying over it or that she hasn't been criticized before.

[Dramapuppy]

Kristen wrote: "Working hard on something does not guarantee it will be any good. When you publish (and make a buttload of money), you open yourself up to criticism. I doubt she's crying over it or that she hasn't..."

I agree. I loved this book but there are also a lot of books I hate.

[Will Solace]

@Jacm, I disagree. He is being a baby. It is all too easy for him to cry, and throw a tantrum like when he found out about releasement.

I think, instead, they should've released the memories at the Ceremonies. No one would question them calling everyone, one by one, up to the stage and placing their hands on them. At first, like the Giver did with Jonas, they could start with gentle memories. Then the anguish and pain of the past. Give them color. Give them light. Give them the memories and Elsewhere and beyond.

Because, quite honestly, Jonas left not to save Gabe, but to save himself. To save himself from the pain that he didn't have the strength to carry.

Two failures, Council. Nice job.

[Caroline]

The Giver gives you a lot to think about, and reading between the lines is very important. It was not, though, an action story like most teen novels these days. I think the movie was the Giver made into a teen novel, action, suspense, romance, and while the plot was similar, the feeling of the book was not captured.

[Jacm]

Mary wrote: "I am astonished - no real problem? A community that happily tells stories about hitting children who are having language development problems? A community that murders one of a pair of twins beca..."

I completely agree!

[Margaret]

The conflict in the book is Jonas's society. But it doesn't become a conflict until later when Jonas realizes that there are other ways to live. We know that his society is a dystopia, but he just thinks that's the way everyone lives until he is shown the memories. That's when he sees all the problems with his society and tries to free everyone from it.

[Cierra and Alexa]

Awarraich4 wrote: "It's kind of nice you guys should really respect all the hard work the author put in"
I totally agree!

[Cierra and Alexa]

You guys should read the rest of the series, they're really good I loved this series soo much!