The Giver

The Giver never confirms whether Jonas dies. The ending of the novel is intentionally ambiguous. After escaping the community with Gabriel, Jonas becomes weak from cold and hunger, but he finally reaches the snow-covered hill… read more

"Release” is the community’s euphemism for killing someone. Most people in the community believe that being released means being sent “Elsewhere,” possibly to another place where life continues peacefully. Old people are honored before release… read more

The novel is a combination of several genres, but it is primarily a dystopian novel for young readers. The book imagines a future society that appears peaceful and orderly on the surface, yet it achieves… read more

The book's setting is a heavily controlled and isolated community in a futuristic society. The people of this community refer to the outside world as “Elsewhere.” On the surface, the community appears peaceful, safe, and… read more

At the end of the novel, Jonas escapes the community with Gabriel after learning that Gabriel is going to be “released,” which Jonas now understands means killed. He steals his father’s bicycle and rides away… read more

In The Giver, Asher’s Assignment is Assistant Director of Recreation. At the Ceremony of Twelve, the Chief Elder gives him this role because his energetic, playful personality makes him well suited for organizing games… read more

"Sameness" is the system that Jonas’s community uses to eliminate differences between people in order to create stability and prevent pain. The community gives up color, weather, personal choice, strong emotions, and even memories so… read more

In The Giver, Jonas is selected to become the new Receiver of Memory, one of the most honored and isolated jobs in the community. At the Ceremony of Twelve, the Chief Elder skips Jonas’s… read more

The climax of the novel occurs when Jonas discovers the true meaning of “release” and realizes that his father has been killing newborn children. The turning point comes when The Giver shows Jonas a video… read more

In The Giver, Jonas feels both honored and frightened about becoming the new Receiver of Memory. At first, he is proud when the Chief Elder announces that he has been “selected” rather than simply… read more

“Stirrings” are the sexual feelings and desires that begin as children enter adolescence. Jonas first experiences them after he dreams about Fiona and wants to see her naked and bathe with her. His mother explains… read more

Rosemary is the Receiver-in-training who came before Jonas. She was trained by The Giver, who later reveals that she was his daughter. Rosemary loved the happy memories The Giver shared with her, but she could… read more