The Giver Quartet, #1
The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Contents
16
Overview
After the trauma of war, The Giver comforts Jonas with joyful memories, culminating in a family holiday that introduces “love” and grandparents. Jonas confronts his parents, who dismiss the word, prompting his first lie. He continues secretly soothing Gabriel with memories and, driven by new feelings, stops taking his pill.
Summary
Reeling from the war memory, Jonas dreads returning to training but continues. The Giver responds gently, sharing happy memories: a birthday’s individual joy, colorful paintings in museums, a ride on a horse revealing bonds with animals, and peaceful solitude in woods by a campfire.
The Giver then gives Jonas his favorite memory: a warm winter holiday with a tree, candles, gifts, laughter, and elders—grandparents—where Jonas perceives family and a powerful feeling he later learns is “love.” They compare this with Community life, noting Childless Adults, the House of the Old, and release ceremonies that descendants do not attend.
That evening, Jonas asks his parents if they love him. They dismiss “love” as imprecise and obsolete, offering “enjoy” and “pride” instead. Jonas replies that he understands—his first lie—deepening his private conflict between received memories and Community doctrine.
At night, Jonas continues secretly transferring soothing memories to Gabriel, whose sleep improves only in Jonas’s room. Jonas whispers hopes that things could be different—with colors, grandparents, and love. The next morning, moved by what the memories have awakened, Jonas chooses not to take his daily pill and throws it away.
Who Appears
- JonasStruggles after war memory, receives love and family memories, questions parents, lies, comforts Gabriel, and stops taking his pill.
- The GiverGentle after Jonas’s trauma; shares joyful memories, including a family holiday and the concept of love and grandparents.
- FatherResponds to Jonas’s question by rejecting the word “love,” emphasizing precision of language and pride in accomplishments.
- MotherExplains that “love” is meaningless in their Community, reinforcing precise language and social norms.
- GabrielSleeps in Jonas’s room; soothed by Jonas’s shared memories; his rest worsens when moved away, then returns.