The Giver

2 Pages 515 Words

The Giver
By
Louis Lowry
Jonas and his family live in a place that would be looked at as a dream in today’s world. A place that is “perfect” in many ways, free of war and pain. It’s a place where people see no color and remember few things from the past. At the age of twelve, kids become adults and their lives will change forever. At this date they are assigned their duty in the community and will serve until they are old. A Board of Elders observe children throughout their childhood to determine what there occupation best fits them. The Elders also make other important decisions for people, such as who they will marry and if they are capable of being good enough parents to raise a child.
Jonas’ lives in a normal family for the time; his father, mother, sister, and a visiting Gabriela. Gabriela is a newborn that will have to be “released” because she failed to meet the community standards, so Jonas’ father took her home to try and get her “up to par” on everything. The family gets to know and love Gabriela and have a hard time “releasing” her.
At the Ceremony of Twelve’s, the Elder’s announce the duties that the young people will carry out. They always go in alphabetical order and when it was Jonas’ turn to be assigned his duty, the Elders skip him. He did not know what this meant, but he would soon. The last name and duty was assigned but still nothing about Jonas. They saved the best for last; the job he was assigned was the most honorable in the Community, the Giver.
Having the job of the Giver, Jonas, holds everybody’s memories. The Giver that is retiring and having Jonas take his place must transfer all his memories to Jonas. He does this by placing his hands on Jonas’ back then Jonas receives the memory. Jonas’ roll as the Giver is to use his knowledge to help advise the rest of the committee in shaping the future guidelines of the community.
Jonas and the Giver make a plan for Jonas ...