The Giver begins as an ordinary story of an eleven-year-old boy named Jonas. When we meet the protagonist, he is worried about the Ceremony of the Twelve, during which he will be entrusted with his mission. Although he has no idea what job he might be given, he is amazed when he is selected to be the Receiver of Memory. He learns that it is a job of the highest honor, requiring him to endure physical pain on a scale beyond anyone's experience. As the story progresses, we realize that the society there is not as ordinary as it seems. One of the ideas that gives us the impression that something is unusual is when the author describes elephants as "imaginary creatures." We later learn that this “community” is governed by a Committee of Elders, the most important of which is the Receiver of Memory. Whether it concerns people's work, their spouse or their children, this Committee exercises its authority over everything. Pain, war, hatred and deception do not exist. Everyone is extremely polite and honest. This seems like a utopia. However, as Jason's training teaches him, this is not the case. His teacher, the Receiver of Memory, who tells Jonas to call him the Giver, transmits memories to him from a distant past. It is through these memories that Jonas discovers the meaning of snow, war, pain and love. The Giver tells him that these things existed before people chose to go to "Identity". They have since given up these things in exchange for a world free of discrimination, crime and pain. However, realizing the importance of wisdom gained through experience, they chose the Recipient to carry the burden of all memories for them. Overwhelmed by all this information and not allowed to share it with anyone, Jonas becomes increasingly embittered against this...... middle of paper ......s us to celebrate our differences. We also realize that we live with the same kinds of memories that Jonas struggles to carry, every day of our lives. Although the fact that the memories are new to him makes it harder for Jonas to bear the pain, it also makes it easier for him to appreciate the beauty in small things. On the other hand, being familiar with the sensations, we do not cherish them as much as we should. None of us savor the warmth of the sun or the beauty of the snow like Jonas. Perhaps we need the darkness of night to appreciate the brilliance of the moon. Few books, especially those aimed at children, are as profound as this one. The fact that the book ends on a hopeful note only adds to its virtue. The Giver helps us understand why our world, with all its imperfections, is beautiful. Works Cited The Giver, Lois Lowry