The Giver (Cliffs Notes) [Paperback]

Suzanne Pavlos (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cliffsnotes Literature Guides

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature.

CliffsNotes on The Giver explores a world in which disease, hunger, poverty, war, and lasting pain simply don’t exist. The members of this utopia have given up all human emotions and memories to live in a state of Sameness.

Following the story of a 12-year-old boy who recognizes the hypocrisy of his community’s “social order” – and who crafts a way to free everyone from the bane of Sameness, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each chapter within the novel.  Other features that help you figure out this important work include

• Personal background on the author, Lois Lowry
• Introduction to and synopsis of the book
• Character descriptions
• Critical essays on the author’s themes, style, language, and more
• Review section that features interactive questions and suggested essay topics
• Selected bibliography and list of critical works

Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (June 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076458510X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764585104
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Words & Language > General
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > History & Criticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My interpretation of the ending of this novel., January 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Giver (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

I have been teaching this novel to my 9th grade students for 4 years now. My students always interpret the ending the same way year after year. They believe that Jonas reached Elsewhere and lived the life he longed for. I do not agree. Jonas dies at the end. His life is sacrificed along with Gabriel's. God sent Jonas and Gabriel to this world to end the misery of "sameness." As Jonas moved further and further away from the community, the memories were released into the community for everyone to know. Jonas did reach elsewhere. However, "elsewhere" is heaven. This is the beautiful place that no person in his community ever had a clue existed.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My ending, November 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Giver (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

I read both books and I have an interpretation on how it ends.

The music that Jonas heard was the giver trying to transmit his farewell memory. But Jonas continued with the determination to find Elsewhere. As he slides down the hill with Gabriel in his arms he sees a light. His will to live slowly departs from his body as he walks towards the light. The light was nothing more than an illusion. He closes his eyes and fell to the ground. Holding Gabriel he transmits the thought of the joy of solitude. They became still, departing from Sameness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little on the down side, December 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Giver (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

I have always wondered what this book was about, and I finally found the time to read it for a LA project. The author used a lot of imagination and was very creative when she formed the perfect world that Jonas lived in. This book has some good morals behind it, but I think it is rather dull and could use more suspense. I was very disappointed with the shortness of the book and the ending. Even though I do enjoy making up endings on my own, Lois Lowry has stopped the book right at the climax. I believe that she should have elaborated and given more information that would help bring the story to a wonderful ending. Over all this book is a great book to read for pleasure.