The Giver
The Giver has the most important assignment in the community (Lowry 78). He is almost an Elder, but the job has aged him. Jonas thinks he is a lot older than he actually is. The Giver has every single memory from the past world (98). He knows about everything involving the climate control and the “sameness” process. He is in charge of passing down the memories to the Receiver in training. When the Community needs advice, they go to the Giver for his wisdom (130). The Giver is a very high honored job that is taken very serious. The Giver’s life is complicated, because he can’t talk about his work with anyone (97). The Giver knows all the of the positive and negative memories about how the world used to be, but everybody in the community knows nothing. The Giver is able to see in color while everyone else sees in black and white (120). The Giver is able to pass the memories to the receiver in training by placing his hands on the the bare back of the receiver (100). If something would happen to the Giver, the community would be lost (180).
The Giver's Speech
"Hello ladies and gentlemen," I said while clearing my throat. "Within the next few days, all of you guys will begin to feel a little different .Different how; you might ask? That feeling can not be described. Most of you know who I am, The Receiver of Memory, but none of you know what I have been through, what I am going through, and all the things that I know about the world. My knowledge is greater than anyone can imagine. There is only one person in this community that knows all about my knowledge, but sadly, he is not with us anymore. That person was Jonas. Jonas was one of the bravest people I have ever met. He is NOT another Receiver failure. He did what he had to do to make this community a better place. Jonas will be perfectly fine wherever he is at, along with the newborn, Gabriel. "
"Now, as I said before, what we are about to encounter can not be described, but things are going to change. I do not know how everything is going to happen, but they will, and we will learn to live with the changes. We will all begin to receive memories from the past, just like before. Most of you might not know what that means, but you will soon learn. Myself included will start to have physical and mental pain, but do not let that scare you. There are great memories from "the other worlds" that are filled with joy and happiness. Things are going to change."
"No longer will everything be the same. Everyone and everything will be different. By the look on everyone's face, there is a lot of confusion in the air, but trust me, everything is going to be okay. I am willing to help you and do whatever it takes to make this transition go smoothly. As you can see in the distance, there is something new coming. That something new is "color". This is the first step to making our community a different place. I thank you for your time. Just remember this is for the best, and we only have one person to thank for that. So thank you Jonas, you will be missed".
Ambiguous Endings
The community has changed. All of the memories that Jonas had with him have been exposed to the community. The Giver will spend the the next few months making sure nobody hurts themselves or hurts anybody else do to the painful memories. The communities that are around the area has integrate together into one big town. The Elders are doing nothing. The Speaker is useless. Nobody is under control anymore, and the “sameness” is gone. No longer will everyone get assigned jobs, they will get to chose their own. There is no longer need to take pills to prevent the Stirring ,because now there is love, marriage, and real families.
Jonas sat on the sled for a while not knowing what to do. They stared at the house watching the flashing lights from the tree. Jonas stood up and grabbed Gabriel. They both made their way to the front of the house very languid because of his sprained ankle. The family inside was singing and having a good time. Jonas knocked on the door. A girl answered the door. When the door opened, Jonas was overwhelmed by the wonderful smell of Christmas cookies. The girl that answered the door, but she didn't even ask who they were. She just invited them in. Jonas walked in and saw all different types of Christmas decorations. While Jonas and Gabriel were thawing out by the fire, the girl walked up to them. She said,” By the way, my name is Rosemary”.
~ Elizabeth
“As you may or may have not known,” The Giver spoke exuberantly. “Jonas has escaped the community late last night for our freedom.” Everyone listening was deep in thought and panicked a little.
“What will we do now” someone in the crowd asked?
“Yah” people added on.
“Don’t worry” The Giver told the citizens. “Everything would be different, but better than it is now. You will see. Just believe me.” A couple days later, the citizens died down in their panic mode. Everyone was actually happy in seeing color. That day, citizens came in to the annex room. The Giver gave them memories of different life. After he had nothing left he spoke again, “See, you ladies and gentlemen didn’t believe me at first, but look where this has taken you. You guys are probably the smartest community out here. This may or may not shock you guys but I am getting old and I wanted to make this community a better place, thus leads me to this. I want to get released!” Immediately one of the doctors came up and gave The Giver the shot.
“I am sorry about your daughter,” the doctor said. “And I know this would mean a lot to you. To you do this yourself,” but The Giver already inserted the shot into his arm. A couple seconds later he dropped down, moving in a spasm like motion, then stillness.
Meanwhile, Jonas looks around the cabin inspecting all details about this house as he remembers the word cabin and how the decorations on the house looked familiar. Unsure if he should knock on the door or not, Jonas decides to use whatever strength he has left to stay the night outside. He wakes up to the smell of coffee and solace. He wonders where he is. Panicked, Jonas jumps out of the bed looking for Gabe. An elderly man comes up the stairs with coffee in his hand saying, “no need to panic, your brother is just fine. He is downstairs with me. Come.” As they went downstairs, Jonas saw Gabe, another little child, a child close to his age with the radio playing “Jingle Bells.” Jonas is surprised but introduces himself to the strange people as he sits down in a chair at the table with coffee in his hand. The elderly man’s name is Roberto, the child close to his age is Rosemary, and the little guy didn't have a name. Jonas found those names oddly familiar. Then it hit him like a rock that they were names of people who got “released”. Right at that moment, an old man came in the house with white hair and a white beard.
“Hello Jonas, it has been quite a while,” The Giver spoke as he entered the room.
-Brayden
Everything had changed in the community. After Jonas had disappeared, his memories had been given to the people of the community. Just like when Rosemary had left, the memories came back all at once. Sounds and colors permeate through the community, and also like the first indecent, there was a panic. People shut themselves in their homes. There was no progress. Crops withered, people were getting sick, garbage filled houses and the streets. Chief Elder had tried to get through to her community but had failed to do so.
Sameness was gone. The land was starting to take shape and the communities had their first rain in decades.
But they only saw it from the safety of their dwellings. It remained like this for weeks. By that time people became so solace that some couldn't stand it anymore and just left the dwellings. They had no courage, they lacked bravery. As they explored what used to be their perfect home was now overrun by flora. Weeds grew every wear, vines scaled buildings, the weather had eroded some monuments. They were afraid. Fear was the one emotion that overtook them. In this situation, the Receiver of Memories would have been called upon. But now they were able to make their own decisions. Hoping that the decisions they made were correct, they got to work.
-Madaline
Jonas has left the community. He has taken Gabriel with him on his wild journey to the next community. Luckily, if it were not for the reprieving of Gabe's release, he would not be with them any more. He would have been killed. Jonas had an ominous feeling about his journey when he realized that he felt that they were close. Jonas has trudged his way up the hill when he had seen a sled. He sled down the hill with Gabe close to his chest…
Jonas had climbed off the sled and walked to the house with the Christmas lights and chorus. Jonas felt a sudden burst of adrenaline when he had a hopeful thought of a meal and warmth that the house could have potential. He walked to the doorstep and had a big smile on his face. The hope faded when suddenly he realized that everything was just an illusion.
- Eduardo Dougherty
Jonas hears singing and is finally free. He is walking to the voice and stops at a house that is very big. Jonas at this point, is standing at the house with Gabe not knowing what to do. An old lady opened the door to let them in. Jonas was cold because of the snowstorm that was passing by. The lady asked where they had come from; Jonas said “the community”, the old lady gasped. They talked why and what was the reason he had left. Gabe started crying, and Jonas was ready to cry with joy with Gabe.
Jonas was very obsolete of his surroundings, it was very plain and not many trees. His mind started to become pervade, all scattered he could not think straight it was like he was in pain. out of nowhere the building started to collapse on them...Jonas is in a rush to get up he was dreaming and breathing very heavily. He is at the Giver’s place and is very confused. He started the teaching again and left Jonas very confused. The plan was never created....
-Luca
Works Cited
Lowry, Lois. The Giver, Lois Lowry. New York, NY: Spark Pub., 2003. Print.
Jonas sat on the sled for a while not knowing what to do. They stared at the house watching the flashing lights from the tree. Jonas stood up and grabbed Gabriel. They both made their way to the front of the house very languid because of his sprained ankle. The family inside was singing and having a good time. Jonas knocked on the door. A girl answered the door. When the door opened, Jonas was overwhelmed by the wonderful smell of Christmas cookies. The girl that answered the door, but she didn't even ask who they were. She just invited them in. Jonas walked in and saw all different types of Christmas decorations. While Jonas and Gabriel were thawing out by the fire, the girl walked up to them. She said,” By the way, my name is Rosemary”.
~ Elizabeth
“As you may or may have not known,” The Giver spoke exuberantly. “Jonas has escaped the community late last night for our freedom.” Everyone listening was deep in thought and panicked a little.
“What will we do now” someone in the crowd asked?
“Yah” people added on.
“Don’t worry” The Giver told the citizens. “Everything would be different, but better than it is now. You will see. Just believe me.” A couple days later, the citizens died down in their panic mode. Everyone was actually happy in seeing color. That day, citizens came in to the annex room. The Giver gave them memories of different life. After he had nothing left he spoke again, “See, you ladies and gentlemen didn’t believe me at first, but look where this has taken you. You guys are probably the smartest community out here. This may or may not shock you guys but I am getting old and I wanted to make this community a better place, thus leads me to this. I want to get released!” Immediately one of the doctors came up and gave The Giver the shot.
“I am sorry about your daughter,” the doctor said. “And I know this would mean a lot to you. To you do this yourself,” but The Giver already inserted the shot into his arm. A couple seconds later he dropped down, moving in a spasm like motion, then stillness.
Meanwhile, Jonas looks around the cabin inspecting all details about this house as he remembers the word cabin and how the decorations on the house looked familiar. Unsure if he should knock on the door or not, Jonas decides to use whatever strength he has left to stay the night outside. He wakes up to the smell of coffee and solace. He wonders where he is. Panicked, Jonas jumps out of the bed looking for Gabe. An elderly man comes up the stairs with coffee in his hand saying, “no need to panic, your brother is just fine. He is downstairs with me. Come.” As they went downstairs, Jonas saw Gabe, another little child, a child close to his age with the radio playing “Jingle Bells.” Jonas is surprised but introduces himself to the strange people as he sits down in a chair at the table with coffee in his hand. The elderly man’s name is Roberto, the child close to his age is Rosemary, and the little guy didn't have a name. Jonas found those names oddly familiar. Then it hit him like a rock that they were names of people who got “released”. Right at that moment, an old man came in the house with white hair and a white beard.
“Hello Jonas, it has been quite a while,” The Giver spoke as he entered the room.
-Brayden
Everything had changed in the community. After Jonas had disappeared, his memories had been given to the people of the community. Just like when Rosemary had left, the memories came back all at once. Sounds and colors permeate through the community, and also like the first indecent, there was a panic. People shut themselves in their homes. There was no progress. Crops withered, people were getting sick, garbage filled houses and the streets. Chief Elder had tried to get through to her community but had failed to do so.
Sameness was gone. The land was starting to take shape and the communities had their first rain in decades.
But they only saw it from the safety of their dwellings. It remained like this for weeks. By that time people became so solace that some couldn't stand it anymore and just left the dwellings. They had no courage, they lacked bravery. As they explored what used to be their perfect home was now overrun by flora. Weeds grew every wear, vines scaled buildings, the weather had eroded some monuments. They were afraid. Fear was the one emotion that overtook them. In this situation, the Receiver of Memories would have been called upon. But now they were able to make their own decisions. Hoping that the decisions they made were correct, they got to work.
-Madaline
Jonas has left the community. He has taken Gabriel with him on his wild journey to the next community. Luckily, if it were not for the reprieving of Gabe's release, he would not be with them any more. He would have been killed. Jonas had an ominous feeling about his journey when he realized that he felt that they were close. Jonas has trudged his way up the hill when he had seen a sled. He sled down the hill with Gabe close to his chest…
Jonas had climbed off the sled and walked to the house with the Christmas lights and chorus. Jonas felt a sudden burst of adrenaline when he had a hopeful thought of a meal and warmth that the house could have potential. He walked to the doorstep and had a big smile on his face. The hope faded when suddenly he realized that everything was just an illusion.
- Eduardo Dougherty
Jonas hears singing and is finally free. He is walking to the voice and stops at a house that is very big. Jonas at this point, is standing at the house with Gabe not knowing what to do. An old lady opened the door to let them in. Jonas was cold because of the snowstorm that was passing by. The lady asked where they had come from; Jonas said “the community”, the old lady gasped. They talked why and what was the reason he had left. Gabe started crying, and Jonas was ready to cry with joy with Gabe.
Jonas was very obsolete of his surroundings, it was very plain and not many trees. His mind started to become pervade, all scattered he could not think straight it was like he was in pain. out of nowhere the building started to collapse on them...Jonas is in a rush to get up he was dreaming and breathing very heavily. He is at the Giver’s place and is very confused. He started the teaching again and left Jonas very confused. The plan was never created....
-Luca
Works Cited
Lowry, Lois. The Giver, Lois Lowry. New York, NY: Spark Pub., 2003. Print.