1 AT A GLANCE - THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS2 LOIS LOWRY: LIFE & WORKS2.1 Biography2.2 Contemporary BackgroundThe 1990s and the "end of history"Pop culture: Hybridisation and self-awareness"Sameness" in the book business2.3 Notes on Other Important Works3 ANALYSES AND INTERPRETATIONS3.1 Origins and Sources3.2 Summaries3.3 Structure3.4 CharactersJonasThe GiverJonas´ familyJonas´ motherJonas´ fatherLilyGabriel/GabeJonas´ friendsAsherFionaOther charactersPeople in The Giver Constellations3.5 ThemesControlTotalitarian societiesMethods of controlSameness vs. diversityMemory, history and the pastChoiceHuman connections3.6 Style and LanguageThe use of languageStyle3.7 Approaches to InterpretationYoung adult (YA) fictionScience Fiction (SF)Dystopian literatureFilm adaptation (2014)Other ideas about interpretations of The Giver Escape or death?Metaphor for adolescence4 CRITICAL RECEPTIONPraise and accoladesAwardsChallengesNegative responses5 MATERIALSLowry on Science Fiction and The Giver The film adaptation: The Giver George Orwell and dystopian fiction The Giver on book lists6 SAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSSOURCES & REFERENCESINDEX