Section 5: Ambiguity

When something is ambiguous, it is unclear or uncertain, having more than one meaning. Ambiguity is is a literary device that is used by authors to allow for multiple interpretations of an event. The Giver has an ambiguous ending. As Jonas was 'losing consciousness' and sliding 'downward, downward, faster and faster' on his sled with Gabriel,

"...he heard something that he knew to be music. He heard people singing.

Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he thought he heard music too. But perhaps it was only an echo." (p. 179)

• What is you interpretation? What do you think happened to Jonas and Gabriel?
• How might others interpret this same event?
• Why do you think Lois Lowry chose to write such an ambiguous ending to The Giver?

Section 5: Etymology

The history of a word from its origin to its present use is called its etymology. Speakers of English borrow words from other languages. The bold word in the following paragraph from the novel has an interesting etymology:

"He tried to use the flagging power of his memory to recreate meals, and managed brief, tantalizing fragments: banquets with huge roasted meats; birthday parties with thick-frosted cakes..." (p. 172)

In Greek mythology, Tantalus was a wicked king who, as punishment for his crimes, was forced to stand in deep water with grapes growing overhead. The water receded (moved away from his reach) when he was thirsty, and the grapes receded when he was hungry.

The following is a definition of tantalize from the Random House Dictionary:

to torment with...the sight of something desired but out of reach

How does knowing the history of the word enrich the meaning of this paragraph? 

How might being aware of etymology help you as a reader?