The The GiverGiver

by Lois by Lois LowryLowry

Since the beginning of time, human beings have searched for UTOPIA - a perfect place

where people can lead perfect lives.

The Giver takes place in such an ideal community.

The Golden AgeThe Golden Age The Garden of EdenThe Garden of Eden AtlantisAtlantis SpartaSparta

A Greek TermA Greek Term

The word The word utopiautopia was derived was derived from the Greek from the Greek ou toposou topos, , which means “no place.” which means “no place.”

Some synonyms for utopia are Some synonyms for utopia are paradise, arcadia, Shangri-la, paradise, arcadia, Shangri-la, and Zion.and Zion.

Modern Day “Utopias”Modern Day “Utopias”http://www.acorncommunity.org/http://www.acorncommunity.org/

http://www.thefarm.org/index.htmlhttp://www.thefarm.org/index.html

http://www.twinoaks.org/http://www.twinoaks.org/

http://www.victorycities.com/http://www.victorycities.com/

http://www.thirdway.com/menno/http://www.thirdway.com/menno/

A “Utopia” is a perfect A “Utopia” is a perfect society. A “Dystopia” is a society. A “Dystopia” is a world that appears to be world that appears to be

perfect, but is not.perfect, but is not.

Who invented Who invented rules? rules?

No one knows for sure when the first “rule” was

invented.

There have been formal rules There have been formal rules for people to follow since ancient times.for people to follow since ancient times.

Golden Rule - Evolved from the Old Testament in the Golden Rule - Evolved from the Old Testament in the Bible “Do unto others as you would have them do unto Bible “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”you.”

Bushido - unwritten code that guided the samuraiBushido - unwritten code that guided the samurai

I-Li – Ancient Chinese rules on how to behave, dress, I-Li – Ancient Chinese rules on how to behave, dress, and speakand speak

Gravitas - a traditional rule of dignity that Roman citizens Gravitas - a traditional rule of dignity that Roman citizens were expected to live bywere expected to live by

Genre - Science FictionGenre - Science Fiction

Based on real or Based on real or imaginary scientific imaginary scientific ideas.ideas.

Amazing happeningsAmazing happenings

New inventions – life, New inventions – life, transportation, cures transportation, cures

Stretches your Stretches your imaginationimagination

FrankensteinFrankenstein

A Wrinkle in TimeA Wrinkle in Time

The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone

Star WarsStar Wars

Star TrekStar Trek

The X FilesThe X Files

SpidermanSpiderman

The GiverThe Giver

Science Fiction WritersScience Fiction Writers

Settings – past, Settings – past, present, or futurepresent, or future

Predicting the futurePredicting the future

Time travelTime travel

AliensAliens

Jules Verne – 1850sJules Verne – 1850s

Father of Modern Father of Modern Science FictionScience Fiction

Wrote about Wrote about submarines, submarines,

elevators, computers, elevators, computers, fax machines, fax machines,

spaceships, and spaceships, and moon travel by the moon travel by the

U.S.A.U.S.A.

SettingSetting• The setting of the novel is the time and place in which

the action occurs.• The Giver takes place in some unspecified time in the

future in a place very much like Earth that can be described as a utopian community.

• As you read, think about what Lois Lowry’s novel says about our future here on earth – and about our past.

““The Giver” SettingThe Giver” Setting• The society seems ideal--• All have a job for which

they are especially suited.• The elderly and newest

members are lovingly cared for.

• There is much laughter and joy.

ConflictConflictConflict is a problem or struggle Conflict is a problem or struggle between two characters, a character between two characters, a character and society, a character and nature, and society, a character and nature, or a problem within a character.or a problem within a character.

In In The GiverThe Giver, the main conflict is , the main conflict is between Jonas as an individual and between Jonas as an individual and the society in which he lives.the society in which he lives.