Re: The Giver

[Eric C Bateman <ebateman@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>]

        Having just finished The Giver as an assignment for a Children's
Resources class, I am amazed at the quality of writing. I was unable to
put it down and read it cover to cover in an evening.
        I understand the book is on many banned books list because of the
issue regarding "the Stirring".
        To speculate on answers to your questions, I will assume that
since it is a controlled society with advanced medical technologies,
birthing mothers are likely artificially inseminated, with the best males
used as the host.
        As for the end, it's up to the reader. I feel (again,
speculative) that Jonah dies; his experience with the sled and hill are
fragments of memory that come to him as he becomes unconscious and
ultimately freezes to death.
        An interesting comment on my male reaction; as with Hang Tough,
Paul Mather, where the outcome suggests life or death, most girls and
women will suggest the hero lives, where most boys and men will assume
the hero dies. This is a generality, and you will find variances; try it
in your own class.
        I've also found quite a few people who thought the book was
extremely unsettling; some even reported nightmares after reading it.
        In any case, it's a good read that lends itself to many
discussions in the weeks to come.
        There's my booktalk for the day.

        ECB :)


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On Tue, 7 Nov 1995, Hilary Marie Mikihala Apana wrote:

> I RECENTLY READ THE GIVER AND I WAS TOTALLY AMAZED AT HOW IT IS VERY WELL
> WRITTEN.  I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE END.  CAN ANY OF YOU TRANSLATE
> OR GIVE ME AN IDEA AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU THOUGHT THE ENDING MEANT.  WHAT
> WAS THE HIDDEN MEANING?  HOW DID HE GET AWAY FROM THE WORLD OF
> "SAMENESS"?  DID THE END MEAN THAT HE FOUND A WORLD WITH COLOR AND WITH
> LOVE?  ALSO, HOW DID THE BIRTHING MOTHERS BECOME PREGNANT?  WERE THERE
> BIRTHING FATHERS OR DID THEY HAVE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OR TEST TUBE
> BABIES?  ANYTHING WILL HELP BECAUSE WE WILL BE DISCUSSING IT IN CLASS.
>
>
> On Tue, 7 Nov 1995, Dr. Dana McDougald wrote:
>
> > I agree! It is food for lots of thought.
> >
> >
> >
> > Dana McDougald, Media Specialist
> > Cedar Shoals H. S.
> > Athens, Ga. 30605
> > dmcdouga@moe.coe.uga.edu
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 3 Nov 1995, Lynda Short wrote:
> >
> > > I have to get in on this discussion.  When I read The Giver I was totally 
>blown
> > >  out of the water by it.  I went through the school telling everyone that I 
>had
> > >  just read the next Newbery.  I think it is one of the finest YA novels I have
> > > ever read!  Lynda Short
> > >
> >
>