40 Best Lois Lowry Quotes

“We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.”

The Giver explains to Jonas the trade-off made by the community for Sameness. They achieved order and predictability by sacrificing individuality, emotion, and the richness of human experience, highlighting the central theme of loss for control and the deliberate choices made to shape their society.

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Pressure of knowing that there is no one else who truly understands.”

The Giver reveals the profound isolation that comes with his unique role. This quote emphasizes the immense burden of knowledge and emotion in a society designed to suppress them, making his connection with Jonas even more crucial as he finds someone who can share his understanding.

“They don't want to change things. They like the way things are.”

The Giver expresses his frustration with the community's complacency and resistance to change. This highlights the deep-seated fear of the unknown and the comfort found in Sameness, even if it means sacrificing true understanding and feeling, and living in ignorance of a richer world.

“If you were to be lost in the river, Jonas, your memories would not be lost with you. Memories are forever.”

The Giver explains the critical role of the Receiver in preserving the community's collective memory. This statement underscores the idea that memories transcend individual lives and are essential for the wisdom and continuity of society, even if the community doesn't consciously access them, highlighting their enduring power.

“We don't dare to let people make choices of their own.”

The Giver explains the community's rationale for Sameness. By removing individual choice, they believe they prevent mistakes and suffering, illustrating the core philosophical conflict between freedom and security that the book explores. This reveals the fear that underpins their structured existence.

“It's the choosing that's important, isn't it?”

Jonas asks this of the Giver, reflecting his growing understanding of the value of individuality and freedom. This question challenges the community's foundational principle of Sameness and highlights Jonas's evolving perspective on life, recognizing that choice, even with its risks, is fundamental to humanity.

“The memories are not just about the past. They're about the future too.”

The Giver explains to Jonas that memories provide wisdom and foresight, not just historical context. They are crucial for making informed decisions and avoiding past mistakes, emphasizing their practical importance for the community's future and the necessity of learning from history to progress.

“If you want to, you can turn the sound off.”

This line, often said by Jonas's parents about the ubiquitous community speakers, subtly reveals the limited control individuals have even over their immediate environment. It highlights the pervasive, yet often ignored, presence of authority and regulation in their seemingly perfect society.

“Thank you for your childhood, Asher.”

The Chief Elder's formal address to Asher during the Ceremony of Twelve marks the end of childhood and the beginning of adult responsibilities. It underscores the community's structured progression through life stages and the public acknowledgment of each individual's journey into their assigned role.

“We relinquished sunshine and color and choice.”

The Giver explains the profound sacrifices made by the community to achieve Sameness and control. They deliberately gave up sensory experiences like sunshine and color, and the fundamental human right of choice, in exchange for predictability and safety, revealing the high cost of their ordered world.

“And back and back and back.”

The Giver uses this phrase to convey the immense historical scope of the memories he holds. It emphasizes the vastness of human experience and knowledge that has been deliberately suppressed by the community, highlighting the weight of his burden and the depth of the past.

“It's not my job to love them.”

The Giver states his detached role from the community's emotional life, emphasizing the isolation of his position. He understands that his purpose is to hold memories, not to engage in the superficial affection that passes for love in their society, underscoring his unique and solitary burden.

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”

The Giver expresses his profound isolation to Jonas, emphasizing the burden of his role.

“If everything's the same, then there aren't any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things!”

Jonas, frustrated by the lack of individuality and freedom in his Community, expresses his desire for choice.

“He had been startled by the certainty of the knowledge. He had been so completely, so thoroughly, not-Jonas.”

Jonas reflects on the powerful experience of receiving a memory, feeling a profound connection to a past self.

“They were satisfied with their lives, and they hadn't changed. But he had.”

Jonas observes his family and friends, realizing the vast chasm that has grown between his new understanding and their contented ignorance.

“It is much easier to be brave if you do not know everything.”

Annemarie's mother says this to her when Annemarie is frustrated about being kept in the dark about the escape plan.

“That's all that brave means—not thinking about the dangers. Just thinking about what you must do.”

Annemarie reflects on her own bravery after delivering the package, realizing that courage is about focusing on the task.

“I will be brave, Kirsti. I will be brave for both of us.”

Annemarie says this to her younger sister after the soldiers search their apartment, showing her determination to protect her family.

“The whole world had changed. Only the fairy tales remained the same.”

Annemarie's observation about how the war has altered everything, while stories remain a constant source of comfort.

“You know, Annemarie, sometimes we must make sacrifices for the people we love.”

Annemarie's father explains the necessity of risking their lives to help the Rosens.

“Nous ne mentons jamais.”

Cette phrase est un principe fondamental de la Communauté, enseigné aux enfants dès leur plus jeune âge. Elle souligne l'illusion de transparence et de vérité dans une société où les informations et les émotions sont strictement contrôlées, masquant une réalité bien différente.

“Il n'y a pas de choix.”

Cette affirmation résume la philosophie de la Communauté, où toutes les décisions importantes sont prises par les Anciens pour assurer l'ordre et la 'Sameness'. Elle met en lumière la privation de liberté individuelle au nom de la sécurité et du confort collectif, au détriment de l'autonomie.

“C'est la libération.”

C'est l'euphémisme utilisé dans la Communauté pour désigner la mort, qu'il s'agisse de bébés jugés insuffisants ou de personnes âgées. Jonas découvre la cruelle réalité derrière ce terme aseptisé, révélant la manipulation du langage et l'absence d'empathie de la société.

“Je suis le Passeur.”

Prononcée par l'homme âgé qui détient toutes les mémoires du passé, cette phrase établit son rôle unique et lourd de responsabilités. Il est le gardien de l'histoire et des émotions que la Communauté a choisi d'oublier, un fardeau qu'il porte seul.

“Tu es le Receveur.”

Le Passeur utilise ces mots pour désigner Jonas, le jeune garçon choisi pour hériter des mémoires. C'est le début de la formation de Jonas et de sa prise de conscience des vérités cachées de sa société, marquant le début de son voyage initiatique.

“La capacité de voir au-delà.”

C'est la qualité rare que possède Jonas, et qui le distingue des autres membres de la Communauté. Elle se manifeste d'abord par la perception des couleurs, puis par la capacité à recevoir les souvenirs, symbolisant une perception plus profonde de la réalité et de la vérité.

“Ils ne savent pas ce qu'ils ont perdu.”

Cette réalisation poignante de Jonas, après avoir reçu des souvenirs de joie, de douleur et d'amour, exprime la tragédie de la Communauté. Ils vivent dans l'ignorance de la richesse et de la complexité de l'expérience humaine, un sacrifice pour la 'Sameness'.

“Le poids de la mémoire.”

Cette expression décrit la charge émotionnelle et psychologique que représente la conservation de toutes les mémoires de l'humanité pour le Passeur, puis pour Jonas. Elle souligne la difficulté de porter seul le fardeau du passé et de ses implications.

“Le souvenir de la neige.”

C'est l'un des premiers souvenirs que le Passeur transmet à Jonas, symbolisant la beauté et la nouveauté des expériences sensorielles perdues. Il marque le début de l'éveil de Jonas à un monde plus riche et plus diversifié que celui qu'il connaît.

“Le souvenir du soleil.”

Un autre souvenir sensoriel initial, le soleil représente la chaleur, la lumière et la vitalité. Il contraste avec l'environnement contrôlé et uniforme de la Communauté, où même la météo est régulée, et symbolise la liberté et la beauté naturelle.

“Il y a plus que ce que tu vois.”

Le Passeur prononce cette phrase pour inciter Jonas à regarder au-delà des apparences et des règles de la Communauté. C'est une invitation à la découverte des vérités cachées et à l'éveil de sa perception, le poussant à remettre en question son monde.

“Vi har avstått från så mycket.”

Givern säger detta till Jonas och förklarar att samhället har offrat djup känslomässig upplevelse och valfrihet för att uppnå ordning och smärtfrihet. Det belyser det centrala temat om förlust kontra kontroll.

“Jag är Givern.”

Den gamle mannen avslöjar sin titel för Jonas, vilket klargör hans roll som bärare av alla samhällets minnen. Det markerar början på Jonas utbildning och hans förståelse för den verkliga världen.

“Minnet är inte bara smärta, Jonas. Minnet är också glädje.”

Givern lär Jonas att minnen innehåller både mörker och ljus. Denna insikt är avgörande för Jonas förståelse av mänsklig erfarenhet och varför samhället har valt att avstå från det.

“När alla är lika, finns det inga val.”

Givern förklarar för Jonas att samhällets strävan efter likformighet (Sameness) har eliminerat alla personliga val. Detta belyser kostnaden för ett "perfekt" samhälle och bristen på individuell frihet.

“Kärlek är ett farligt ord.”

Jonas föräldrar säger detta när han frågar om de älskar honom. Det visar hur samhället har undertryckt starka känslor och ord som kan leda till oordning, vilket understryker deras känslomässiga avtrubbning.

“Jag ser färg.”

Jonas utbrister detta när han börjar uppleva färger, något som är undertryckt i hans samhälle. Det är ett avgörande ögonblick som symboliserar hans uppvaknande till en rikare och mer komplex verklighet.

“Det är inte döden. Det är befrielse.”

Detta är den eufemism som används för att beskriva avlivning av äldre och spädbarn. Givern avslöjar den brutala sanningen för Jonas, vilket chockar honom och avslöjar samhällets mörka sida.

“De har aldrig känt riktig glädje.”

Givern uttrycker sin sorg över att samhällets medlemmar, i sin strävan efter smärtfrihet, också har förlorat förmågan att uppleva djup och äkta glädje. Det är en central kritik av samhället.