The society in The Giver uses euphemism to distance itself from certain ideas (such as "Release").
How does our own society use this device to distance us from aging and death, bodily functions, and political activities? Think of some examples common in modern language. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using euphemisms? Can you think of times when they are appropriate?
Lois Lowry's The Giver is considered a dystopian novel. Unlike utopian works, which describe ideal societies, dystopian literature gives a negative view of the future of society and humankind.
A dystopia is a society in which the conditions of life are extremely bad, caused by oppression, terror, or deprivation. The qualities of a dystopian novel might include these traits:
Using these guidelines, a few of the best examples of a dystopian society are George Orwell’s1984; The Hunger Games series; and The Giver.