The antagonist in The Giver is society itself. The primary conflict in The Giver revolves around Jonas’s rejection of his society’s restrictive ideal of Sameness. Although the elders make decisions for the community, they themselves merely uphold a system put in place by their forebears. When Jonas receives memories from The Giver and realizes that he has missed out on all the freedom and beauty of the world, he rejects Sameness, and quickly recognizes that those around him unthinkingly do terrible things in order to maintain a comfortable life. Fiona doesn’t flinch from learning how to release the elderly because she doesn’t understand the full consequences of her actions. Jonas’s father votes for Gabriel’s release because he cannot imagine any other future for a restless child, despite having clearly cared for Gabriel. Without a concept of life outside Sameness, the community has no impetus to stop their comfortable way of life. Jonas cannot change society through direct confrontation, but instead by releasing the memories he received from The Giver and offering the people an opportunity to learn about the world as it once existed. Upon escaping, Jonas hopes that The Giver’s guidance will help the community cope with their newfound collective memories and emotions, and begin to accept suffering and beauty as necessary parts of life. Show
"The Giver" is a 1993 novel by Lois Lowry. The book is titled after an old man, called the Giver, who is charged with maintaining humanity's memories from the world before the current repressive society. Although the Giver is a kind and understanding old man, he is the book's main antagonist. This is not because he is evil, but rather because he perpetuates a society in which humans no longer possess the freedom to choose their own lives. Jonas' Choice"The Giver" follows the story of Jonas, a young boy who is destined to become the next Giver. Throughout his training with the current Giver, he learns that humanity did not always live in societies in which their life choices were strictly dictated. But those memories are lost to common people, who no longer realize they are oppressed. Jonas comes to believe that holding onto instead of sharing memories that should rightfully be the property of all people is wrong, and he would rather leave than be a party to that path. References
Writer Bio Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. She holds a master's degree in journalism. Related
Is Jonas the villain The Giver?Jonas is the protagonist, or main character, in the novel. He is a sensitive, polite, compassionate 12-year-old boy. Jonas is a dynamic character. He changes during the course of the novel due to his experiences and actions.
Is The Giver evil?Although the Giver is a kind and understanding old man, he is the book's main antagonist. This is not because he is evil, but rather because he perpetuates a society in which humans no longer possess the freedom to choose their own lives.
Who is the protagonist and antagonist in The Giver?Jonas is the protagonist in this story. No one character fits the label, antagonist. But, the antagonist can be something in the physical environment or in the society. The system of Sameness under which the community lives is the antagonist when this more expansive definition of the word is used.
Who is the leader in The Giver?Chief Elder The leader of the community. Fritz Fritz lives in the dwelling next door to Jonas'. He is an awkward child who is always getting into trouble.
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