the giver utopia essay

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The Dichotomy of Dystopian and Utopian Societies in "The Giver"

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Examining Utopia & Dystopia in The Giver

Utopian flying machines, France, 1890–1900.

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Throughout Lois Lowry’s The Giver , the main character Jonas realizes there are more elements to life than he has been led to believe. The Community, a seemingly utopian society with strict rules about everything from behavior to birthday presents, does not include important aspects like color and emotion. Jonas also realizes that the Community does not allow books, other than government approved text books. As he begins to gain knowledge and memories from the Receiver, Jonas realizes that the utopian society he has been part of might not be so perfect. This lesson explores how The Giver addresses issues of personal identity, memory, and the value of reading and education.  It also explores how this newer read relates to other famous classics in this genre and books that students have read on their own.

Guiding Questions

How does The Giver complicate the differences between utopia and dystopia?

What is the significance of personal and communal history, memories, and reading throughout the novel?

How does Lowry critique contemporary society through the creation of an alternate society?

To what extent does The Giver relate to other classical texts that deal with the importance of reading and education?

Learning Objectives

Analyze how the Community relates to students’ own communities, institutions, and serves to provide social commentary.

Compare The Giver to other texts and how each text discusses the overall value of literature in students own lives.

Evaluate the decisions made in the book about preserving and sharing information to inform the creation of a personal list for the Receiver.

Lesson Plan Details

A popular book in classrooms since it was published in 1993, The Giver is a novel that at first appears to be set in a utopian society. As the story unfolds and the protagonist, 12-year-old Jonas becomes more aware of what is happening, we learn that he is actually living in a dystopian world.  Teachers and students can access a complete digital version of  The Giver   and an audiobook version to assist with listening skills (searchable by chapters).

A film adaptation of The Giver was produced in 2014. Engage students in a comparative analysis of the book and the film using the following scenes:

• Opening scene from The Giver (2014)
• Final speech from The Giver (2014) 

What is the meaning of utopia and dystopia?

A few resources to assist students with understanding the concepts utopia and dystopia are provided:

• Definition and meaning of utopia
• Introduction to the book Utopia by Thomas More
• Definition and examples of dystopia from ReadWriteThink
• List of other middle grade dystopian novels

Discussion and reflection questions:

• What would your perfect society include?
• From your perspective, what would you consider to be dystopic?

An Introduction to Lois Lowry

• Lois Lowry website
• A Conversation with Lois Lowry
• A Video Interview with Lois Lowry

A Thematic Introduction

Start a class discussion using the following questions. Ask students questions about their own experiences with thematic elements of the novel (memory, truth, community, individuality, courage, etc.). Have students write down important ideas to think about throughout the novel.

Warm Up Questions:

• What are some of your most important memories?
• Are there any memories that the class shares with one another?
• Are there any memories that all people share?
• Are these collective memories more important than individual memories?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3. Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

Activity 1. Read Aloud

As a class, read pages 72-74  of The Giver out loud, which features the first time Jonas sees The Receiver's office filled with books. To involve students in the process of rereading, use one of the following strategies:

• Popcorn Reading : Have a student read a section, then 'popcorn' to another student who continues reading.
• Choral Reading : Have students read it aloud together to practice verbal skills.
• Role Play : Assign a few students roles (including a narrator) and have students read their part aloud.

Activity 2. Small Group Synthesis Discussion

Hand out passages from Fahrenheit 451 and 1984   and discussion questions that have a similar theme to  The Giver . Organize students into small groups and have them read the two passages aloud. Have the students discuss the question that goes along with each of the passages in their small groups using the discussion questions below. Have each group share at least one idea with the class from their discussion.

Fahrenheit 451

• Using specific evidence from the text, what does Montag realize about the power and fear associated with books?
• How does this relate to what Jonas realizes in The Giver ?
• How does Montag’s realization compare with what Jonas realizes in The Giver ?
• How is changing language similar to the elimination of books in the other stories?
• To what extent do Winston and Jonas have similar experiences?

Activity 3. Drafting Receiver Lists 

On their own, have students draft a list of books and media they have read that they would pass along if they were The Receiver of Memories. Their list should include (at least) five books, television shows, movies, or other pieces of media, along with a reason that each should be included on the list. Students can also provide two memories from their own lives that they would like to pass down to future generations on their list.

If there is time, have students share one of their choices and reason with the class or small group. If students do not finish their list in class, they can take it home to continue brainstorming ideas.

Book Review Bingo

Have students write a book review of The Giver that includes at least 2-3 quotes from the book they find valuable. In small groups, have students brainstorm important story telling elements, themes, and words in the novel that they should include (ex. utopia, dystopia, identity, memory, community, narrator, setting, etc.). Create a bingo card of the words that students need to address in their review as a guide. Have students include one row of those words in their review.

Create Their Own Utopia

Have students create their own utopian world. What issues would they solve that are presented in the book (those related to memory, uniformity, choice, individuality, and community)? Have students cite specific passages and how they would change the issues in those passages in their own society. Have students consider some or all of the following when building their society:

• Laws/Rules/Regulations
• Social Expectations
• Technological Improvements
• Arts and Literature

Essay Prompt

 In an essay, have students compare and contrast the communities in each of the three texts used in the activity. How do they relate to one another? What themes or characteristics occur in all of them? Have students make a judgement about the ethics of uniformity in these books.

To continue this lesson throughout the school year, post student’s lists somewhere in the classroom. When students read new books or find new pieces of media they want to add, encourage them to add it to their list. At the end of the school year, have students write a letter to your next set of students with recommendations on books to read or things to watch for during the upcoming school year.

• NEH 'We the People' Bookshelf: Books About Freedom
• NEH Reading List for K-8 Students

Materials & Media

The giver--activity three handout, related on edsitement, a wrinkle in time : the board game, a trip to wonderland: the nursery alice in wonderland, a literary glossary for literature and language arts, william golding’s lord of the flies.

Ask LitCharts AI: The answer to your questions

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Lois Lowry's The Giver . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

The Giver: Introduction

The giver: plot summary, the giver: detailed summary & analysis, the giver: themes, the giver: quotes, the giver: characters, the giver: symbols, the giver: theme wheel, brief biography of lois lowry.

Historical Context of The Giver

Other books related to the giver.

• Full Title: The Giver
• When Written: Early 1990s
• Where Written: Maine
• When Published: April 16, 1993
• Literary Period: Contemporary
• Genre: Dystopian novel
• Setting: A managed community in a futuristic society. The community is cut off from the outside world, which is referred to as "elsewhere."
• Climax: Jonas learns that when his father "releases" newchildren, he actually kills them. Jonas decides to leave the community.
• Antagonist: Jonas's community and its system of Sameness
• Point of View: Third-person limited, through Jonas's eyes

Extra Credit for The Giver

Awards: The Giver won the 1994 Newbery Medal, considered the most prestigious award for children's literature.

Banned Book: Although The Giver tops countless school reading lists, it has also been banned by some schools, which claim that some of the material, like euthanasia and suicide, is inappropriate for children.

One of Three: Lowry has written two more books set in the world of The Giver and including some of the characters from The Giver . The three books together are often described as a "loose trilogy." The second book in the series is Gathering Blue and was published in 2000. The third, The Messenger , was published in 2004.

Introduction to The Giver

Summary of the giver, major themes in the giver, major characters in the giver, writing style of the giver, analysis of the literary devices in the giver, related posts:, post navigation.

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Is the Society of The Giver a Utopia? Anonymous 8th Grade

Ever since the species of man has existed, men have looked for improved states of society. Searching for food, shelter, and safety have been major problems, even in today’s world: naturally, authors would write books about utopias that provide for the common needs of people and that ensure true social harmony. Lois Lowry’s book The Giver presents a controversial utopia. A utopia (defined by Oxford dictionary) is “an imaginary place in which the government, laws, and social conditions are perfect.” Perfect (also defined by Oxford dictionary) is “having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.” The society created by Lois Lowry in The Giver is a utopia due to its government, laws, and social conditions being as good as it is possible to be.

Lowry’s society as presented in The Giver has a very efficient and stable government: the society has a committee that governs by coming to a consensus, and if the committee is backed up in a tight spot, they ask the Giver to solve a troubling issue/problem. Therefore, the committee doesn’t waste time in getting the issue solved. For example, when the community petitioned to be able to receive a third child, the committee asked The...

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The Giver : Dystopia or Utopia?

In this activity, activity overview, template and class instructions, more storyboard that activities, this activity is part of many teacher guides.

Utopian and dystopian literature is a rapidly growing sub-genre of popular fiction. Authors often use utopias to convey a message about the world we live in today.

Dystopias are extremely flawed societies. In this genre, unlike other literature genres , the setting is often a fallen society, usually occurring after a large-scale war, or other horrific event, that caused chaos in the former world. In many stories this chaos gives rise to a totalitarian government that assumes absolute control. The flaws in this sort of a dystopia are centered around oppression and restrictions on freedom by central authorities.

Jonas’ Community

Have your students create storyboards where they choose a stance on the community. Is it dystopian or utopian? In the storyboard, the student can depict the elements of a utopia or dystopia, and explain their reasoning.

This storyboard uses examples from the article " Teaching Dystopia ".

Examples of Dystopia in The Giver

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows the six elements of a dystopia in The Giver .

• Click "Start Assignment".
• Identify events or characteristics of the story that fit into the elements of a dystopia
• Illustrate the examples for each event or characteristic.
• Write a short description below each cell that specifically relates The Giver as a dystopia.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 4 (Difficult / Complex)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Elements of Dystopia

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric .)

How To Teach the Concept of Dystopia

Define the vocabulary of a dystopia and give examples.

For many students, the concept of a dystopia is new, so clearly define the relevant vocabulary and give examples of it in The Giver. As students get farther into the world of Jonas and his "family," continue offering examples.

Discuss Examples of Dystopias

Use books, movies, and television shows to lead a discussion about dystopias that the students already know, and how that type of government functions or doesn't function.

Have Students Create a Storyboard

Students will best understand dystopian principles in The Giver by creating a storyboard of specific examples and moments from the story that fit into the dystopian ideal. Assist each student as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Giver: Dystopia or Utopia?

What is a dystopia.

A dystopia is a society that tries to eliminate the chaos of a crisis or horrible event by granting total control to the government. Unfortunately, this often leads to oppression and restrictions for the people who live there.

What are some important elements of a dystopia?

In a dystopia, characters do not have free will or independent thought, but are subject to the will of the government. Being uniform or the same as others is applauded, and the government watches carefully over its citizens.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Giver — Analysis of Society in “The Giver” as Utopian

Analysis of Society in "The Giver" as Utopian

• Categories: The Giver Utopia

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Published: Jun 29, 2018

Words: 800 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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