The Giver by Lois Lowry
Select a short scene from the novel you’ve been reading that contains dialogue. Then analyze the choice of words that the author has made in the dialogue. What is the significance of this particular word choice? Your answer should include an explanation of how the author's choice of words affects the meaning of the text. Look for words with particular connotations, or words that indicate a particular dialect.
Answer:
The Giver (1) (Giver Quartet)
Explanation:
In Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal–winning classic, twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community.
The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Lois Lowry has written three companion novels to The Giver, including Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son
Answer:
In The Giver, the dialogue helps readers learn about the dystopian society in the novel. For example, in the following excerpt, we learn that society members place a great deal of importance on apologizing for mistakes and forgiving others’ mistakes. However, a closer look reveals that the apology and the forgiveness seem like automated responses that lack any real emotion.
“I know,” she [Chief Elder] said in her vibrant, gracious voice, “that you are all concerned. That you feel I have made a mistake.”
She smiled. The community, relieved from its discomfort very slightly by her benign statement, seemed to breathe more easily. It was very silent.
Jonas looked up.
“I have caused you anxiety,” she said. “I apologize to my community.” Her voice flowed over the assembled crowd.
“We accept your apology,” they all uttered together.
“Jonas,” she said, looking down at him, “I apologize to you in particular. I caused you anguish.”
“I accept your apology,” Jonas replied shakily.
Explanation: