Gathering Blue is a companion to Lois Lowry’s award-winning The Giver. Often viewed as a sequel, it is not, but it does follow the same principles of life’s portrayal that The Giver offered, taking place in a world of humans similar to our culture and way of life, but in sharp contrast regarding the opinions of the people and how they execute their daily routines.

Kira is a raven-haired girl past puberty, known because of her two-syllable name (Kir-a). When one is born in her society, they are given a name of one syllable, identified simply as “tykes.” When the child reaches adolescence, a second syllable is added to their name, and when they become adults—determined usually by marriage or fatherhood/motherhood—a third. If they live to be old, a fourth is added, but rarely does anyone reach this, for several reasons.

Kira’s world is governed by the ability to survive. Though they live in a community with a governing body of twelve elders (the Council of Guardians), it’s every man for himself. Fights, arguing, and abuse both verbal and physica

l are common, over reasons such as food, land, and possessions. No attempt is made to rectify the state of being: it’s jus the way things are.

Kira is stuck in the middle of a desperate situation. Born to young parents, her father was killed by “beasts” while hunting before she was born. When her mother delivered, a complication occurred and Kira’s (then known as Kir) leg was twisted. Doomed a cripple for the rest of her life and fatherless, Kir is about to be abandoned, but her mother implores the Council of Guardians to spare her life. In a rare decision, they agree, and Kir grows to be Kira.

The central theme of Gathering Blue is much the same as The Giver, that the rights of the people are critical to a good life. Warped societies where governments brainwash their people to the point of dulling their intelligences for ultimate control and manipulation are horribly wrong and perverse. Rather than trying to hinder the intelligence and creativity of the people, they should be cared for, nurtured, and developed for the ultimate betterment of the society.

But her mother soon falls ill and dies. Now bereft of both parents, crippled, and without a home, she is taken to the Council, who will decide whether or not she will live or be taken to The Field. After careful consideration, Kira’s life is spared, but she will dwell within the Council Edifice and take over her mother’s job of sewing.

Mother and daughter have a special relationshi

Some topics in this essay:
Council Guardians, Third Council, Lois Lowry’s, Council Edifice, Kira Mother, Blue Giver, Kira’s Kir, Gathering Blue, gathering blue, Date Publication, “the field”, council guardians, clothes people,