The Giver

The isolated advisor

The Giver is another main character in the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry. The old Receiver of Memory has been fulfilling a very important function in the community for a very long time, probably since his youth. He is the only one who can remember the past: 

There’s much more. There’s all that goes beyond—all that is Elsewhere—and all that goes back, and back, and back. I received all of those, when I was selected. And here in this room, all alone, I re-experience them again and again. It is how wisdom comes. (Chapter 10, 78%)

The old Receiver of Memory serves as counselor to the Committee of Elders. He stands out among the group of elders: 

The Committee of Elders was sitting together in a group; and the Chief Elder’s eyes were now on one who sat in the midst but seemed oddly separate from them. It was a man Jonas had never noticed before, a bearded man with pale eyes. He was watching Jonas intently. (Chapter 8, 29%) 

Jonas later highlights the Giver’s exceptional social position: "He was the Elder who had seemed separate from the others at the Ceremony, though he was dressed in the same special clothing that only Elders wore." (Chapter 8, 29%). The Giver is also responsible for other neighboring communities.

The Receiver of Memory lives isolated from other people: "Jonas had never even seen him, that he knew of; someone in a position of such importance lived and worked alone." (Chapter 2, 40%). The regulations forbid him¸ from talking about his knowledge, which is why he leads a lonely life . 

The Receiver of Memory lives alone in a room with shelves full of books and furniture that is different from the other standard furniture in the community. He once had a spouse who now lives with the Childless Adults (Chapter 13, 46%).

The old and tired Receiver

The Receiver of Memory watches over the happy, but also painful memories of the whole world (Chapte...

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