The Giver as a whole is an unforgettable book. For me, it was both disturbing, not in an I don't approve way, but in an I never would have thought of something like that way, and powerful. I don' think I'll stop thinking about it any time soon. As a coming of age novel, the way it goes about with the idea of loss of innocence is powerful. Five years from now, I know that I will remember the scene where Jonas learns that "release" isn't being let out of the community to find a different, and, to Jonas, better life. It was devastating, with the whole set up of him beginning to care about Gabriel, who might be released. Watching anyone kill a baby for any reason is an experience that would turn one's world upside down, watching your "father" do it all smiley and for what you know is a very shallow reason, well, I don't know how the Giver was able to watch Jonas experience it, let alone imagine what Jonas must have felt. I think that learning that the release meant death was the biggest blow, or maybe I can call it "pain," Jonas could have faced, even bigger than the war scene.
Some more scenes I will probably remember are the scene where Jonas realizes the childhood game he used to play is actually a war game, the scene where he tries to get Asher to see the colors in the flowers, and the discussion Jonas has with his parents about love. As you can see, the whole book is memorable.
The ending will always stick with me wondering what really happened. However, I also find myself wondering if what "really" happened even matters. Jonas broke free of the community and took his and Gabriel's lives into his own hands. I think that he still ended up with much more than those in the community did. He also believed that he experienced whatever it was that happened. Could that be enough?
I can't say that the book was a happy book, but it will always have its place in my most recommended books list. I have already gotten eleven young teens to read it, and they came back wanting to talk about it. That is a feat not all authors manage, even if they do get published.
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I had the same reaction to the scene of the release. That is one of the most horrifying scenes to me, and I think is one of the reasons why this book is powerful. I think that the war scene you mentioned is also a very powerful one. It didn't make it onto my list of scenes that I would remember, but I think it should have. You are so right in saying that this book is disturbing. However, like you said, I think it is an extremely powerful and important book... good job, by the way, on being able to convince kids to read! it's not easy!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the ending of the book was also slightly confusing and the most memorable from the book. I felt the same way you did in that it didn't matter what actually happened to Jonas except for the knowledge that he was free. I love how you suggest that because he believed that whatever happened actually happend, that was enough for Jonas. I think you are correct. It doesn't really matter what happened to Jonas except that he believes he is happy.
ReplyDelete- Mandy