English 2F - Children's Lit
Response #10 - A Reader's Response to The Giver
Purpose: To analyze the elements of modern fantasy, to explore the overarching themes and questions in a work of modern fantasy, to interpret a work according to the principles of reader response theory
Directions:
| Note: The responses are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion. I will not censor these responses in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions. You can write as much as you want, as long as you meet the minimum length requirements for the assignment |
1. Read Lois Lowry's The Giver
2. Review the material on reader response criticism and The Giver from Module 9.
3. Write a page analyzing one aspect of the book, and your response to it. Questions to think about:
- Individual vs. Society: How does Lowry portray the tension between the needs of the individual and the needs of the community? How does society regulate the behavior of the individual? What does Lowry suggest is gained and lost by the regulation of the individual by society? Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why not?
- The End. How do you interpret the end of the book? What is Jonas's fate? Is there more than one way to interpret the book's ending? Does Lowry steer her readers more toward one outcome or are they equally possible? Give evidence from the book to back up your interpretation/s.
- Dystopia. Would you call this fictional world that Lowry has created a dystopia? Why or why not? Give the criteria for a dystopian novel, and discuss the intended effect on the audience of dystopian novels. Argue whether The Giver is an example of the genre or not.
- Family. How is the family defined in this culture? How important is the concept of family to people in this world? What is the function of the family in the lives of the citizens? What larger themes or ideas might Lowry be suggesting with her portrayal of family in the novel?
- Sex and Love. What are the view on sex and love in the book? How do the characters experience sexuality and romantic love? What might Lowry be suggesting about human nature with her portrayals of sex and love?
- Free Choice. Choose one other aspect of the book, and examine how Lowry sets up her reader. Discuss what you think she's trying to do or say, and whether or not you think she is successful.
|
3. Include at least two quotes from the web resources (different sources please) in your response.
4. Submit your response to the assignments chamber, either as an attachment, or a cut-and-paste.
5. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response #10 - A Reader's Response to The Giver". You will receive extra credit if you post your response and/or respond to at least one other student's posting. |