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?