The Giver Quotes
In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.
Jonas: It was like a memory, but Fiona was there.
The Giver: You had a dream.
Jonas: A what?
The Giver: A dream. A combination of reality, fantasy, emotions and what you had for dinner. You have stopped taking your injections, haven't you?
Jonas: The emotion was so strong. And the wedding, everyone all together, laughing and dancing. The old with the young, the bride and the groom; there was something there. But different from what we have.
The Giver: Yes. We don't have that any more.
Jonas: What do you mean by "that"?
The Giver: Well. I'm talking about what you feel for someone else. And the mind can't explain it, and you can't make it go away.
Jonas: What is it?
The Giver: Love. It's called love.
The Giver: You had a dream.
Jonas: A what?
The Giver: A dream. A combination of reality, fantasy, emotions and what you had for dinner. You have stopped taking your injections, haven't you?
Jonas: The emotion was so strong. And the wedding, everyone all together, laughing and dancing. The old with the young, the bride and the groom; there was something there. But different from what we have.
The Giver: Yes. We don't have that any more.
Jonas: What do you mean by "that"?
The Giver: Well. I'm talking about what you feel for someone else. And the mind can't explain it, and you can't make it go away.
Jonas: What is it?
The Giver: Love. It's called love.
[first lines]
Title Card: All memories of the past were erased.
Jonas: After The Ruin we started over, creating a new society, one of true equality. Rules were the building blocks of that equality. We learned them as Newchildren. Rules like: use precise language, wear your assigned clothing, take your morning medication, obey the curfew, never lie.
Jonas: My name is Jonas. I don't have a last name. None of us did. That day, the day before graduation, I admit it, I was scared. Tomorrow we'd be assigned our jobs, our purpose. It seemed everyone knew theirs already. Not me. I was lost. I always felt like I saw things - differently; saw things other people didn't. I never said anything. I didn't want to be different. Who would?
Asher: [bicycle bell dinging] Jonas!
Fiona: I apologize, we're late. I got Asher to come say goodbye to Teacher.
Jonas: I accept your apology.
Jonas: [narration continues] Asher and Fiona. We'd been friends our whole lives. Asher was the boy who made everyone laugh. Fiona, well, she was the girl who made everyone smile.
Asher: [standing on his bicycle pedals] ... Take that back! Whoever is listening, please, please, do not make me Vice Chancellor of Waste Management! Please!
Jonas: [narration continues] We lived in a world where differences weren't allowed. There was no "popular." No fame. No losers and no winners. Our Elders had eliminated all of that, so there'd be no conflict between us. Fear, pain, envy, hate, they weren't words so much as sounds. Their echoes were gone, to the other side of history. I'm asked if I should apologize for what I did. I'll let you decide.
Title Card: All memories of the past were erased.
Jonas: After The Ruin we started over, creating a new society, one of true equality. Rules were the building blocks of that equality. We learned them as Newchildren. Rules like: use precise language, wear your assigned clothing, take your morning medication, obey the curfew, never lie.
Jonas: My name is Jonas. I don't have a last name. None of us did. That day, the day before graduation, I admit it, I was scared. Tomorrow we'd be assigned our jobs, our purpose. It seemed everyone knew theirs already. Not me. I was lost. I always felt like I saw things - differently; saw things other people didn't. I never said anything. I didn't want to be different. Who would?
Asher: [bicycle bell dinging] Jonas!
Fiona: I apologize, we're late. I got Asher to come say goodbye to Teacher.
Jonas: I accept your apology.
Jonas: [narration continues] Asher and Fiona. We'd been friends our whole lives. Asher was the boy who made everyone laugh. Fiona, well, she was the girl who made everyone smile.
Asher: [standing on his bicycle pedals] ... Take that back! Whoever is listening, please, please, do not make me Vice Chancellor of Waste Management! Please!
Jonas: [narration continues] We lived in a world where differences weren't allowed. There was no "popular." No fame. No losers and no winners. Our Elders had eliminated all of that, so there'd be no conflict between us. Fear, pain, envy, hate, they weren't words so much as sounds. Their echoes were gone, to the other side of history. I'm asked if I should apologize for what I did. I'll let you decide.
[last lines]
Jonas: I wish I had been there when the memories returned. They were the truth. The Elders and their rules were the lie. So I do *not* apologize. I knew Fiona was safe. That I'd see her again, and that I held the future there in my arms.
[distant singing]
Jonas: The Giver had led us here, to this house. It was real. From far behind me, from the place I had left, I thought I heard music, too. Perhaps it was only an echo. But it was enough. It would lead us all home.
Jonas: I wish I had been there when the memories returned. They were the truth. The Elders and their rules were the lie. So I do *not* apologize. I knew Fiona was safe. That I'd see her again, and that I held the future there in my arms.
[distant singing]
Jonas: The Giver had led us here, to this house. It was real. From far behind me, from the place I had left, I thought I heard music, too. Perhaps it was only an echo. But it was enough. It would lead us all home.
