The Giver Foreshadowing Analysis

An element provoking the deepest curiosity and suspense within the reader, foreshadowing, is used prominently throughout the course of the novel, The Giver. As the novel progresses, Jonas’s desires to meet the new, colorful world in his imagination intensifies, along with, in proportion, his curiosity to know more about the new world. Moreover, Jonas lives in a tightly guarded, strictly scheduled community where all is picture-perfect. With Jonas’s new desires accompanied by thought-provoking insights and unknown perils , the reader experiences a strong sense of suspense fashioned by the sole question of how Jonas will achieve to meet his increasingly intensifying desire. These and various other incorporations of foreshadowing are also demonstrated

in the text as the author writes, “He realized, though, that not focusing on one area meant he was left with not the slightest idea-not even a guess-of what his Assignment might be.” (p.48), “He saw the others in his group glance at him, embarrassed, and then avert their eyes quickly. He saw a worried look on the face of his group leader… What had he done wrong?” (p.85), “But now there were new fears; the unfamiliar landscape held hidden, unknown perils.” (p.229).
As the novel progresses, Jonas becomes increasingly aware of the bright, colorful world entwined with nature.

The author, to entirely convey Jonas’s view of the world in his imagination and the origin of his strong desires, employs vivid, colorful, extensive descriptions of the beauty and horror instigated by nature and freedom. A few of the exemplary integrations of imagery, which paint lush mental images, as written by Lois Lowry, include, “Looking through the front window, he had seen no people: none of the busy afternoon crew of Street Cleaners, Landscape Workers, and Food Delivery people who usually populated the community at that time of day. He saw only the abandoned bikes here and there on their sides; an upturned wheel on one was still revolving slowly.” (p.15), “Soon there were many birds along the way, soaring overhead, calling. They saw deer; and once, beside the road, looking at them curious and unafraid, a small reddish brown creature with a thick tail, whose name Jonas did not know. He slowed the bike and they stared at one another until the creature turned away and disappeared into the woods.” (p.230), “…banquets with huge roasted meats; birthday parties with thick-frosted cakes; and lush fruits picked and eaten, sun-warmed and dripping, from trees.” (p.232). Through such instances of imagery, the author is able to convey and inspire the reader through vivid, emotion-evoking mental

images.
In Jonas’s community, the article every child receives at each age ceremony embraces a powerful symbolic meaning, and symbolism is used abundantly throughout the course of the novel. When a child becomes a Seven, he or she receives a front-buttoned jacket, displaying the very first symbol of independence and growing up. The bicycle each child receives at the Ceremony of Nine, as stated in the text, “...would be the powerful emblem of moving gradually out into the community, away from the protective family unit.” (p.64). Essentially, everything a child receives at the age ceremony symbolizes a new level of independence and stage of growth.