the giver – chapters 1 & 2

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 21. Why might the arrival of a jet be a terrifying experience for the entire community?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 1. Why might the arrival of a jet be a terrifying experience for the

entire community?

• There seems to be a state of tension with the outside world.

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2

• 2. What do you think might happen to someone who is released from the community?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 2. What do you think might happen to someone who

is released from the community?

• Release is a serious punishment. The exceptions are the celebration of the elderly and the release of a newchild.


• 3. What was the purpose of the ritual telling of feelings?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 3. What was the purpose of the ritual telling of feelings?

• The purpose is to relieve feelings of anger or worry and help each person return to a sense of calm.


• 4. What was unique about the way children are born and infants are cared for in the community?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 4. What was unique about the way children are born and infants

are cared for in the community?

• 50 babies were born each year and cared for by the Nurturers, not the mothers.

• At one year of age they were given to families who could each have one boy and one girl.


• 5. Why was it so difficult to get rules changed in the community?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 5. Why was it so difficult to get rules changed in the community?

• Rules needed to be changed by a committee who studied each issue and discussed it for years.


• 6. On what basis did children receive life assignments?

The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2• 6. On what basis did children receive life assignments?

• The Elevens were carefully observed by the Committee of Elders, which made its decision based upon ability and interest.

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5

• 1. Why were Gabe’s eyes of such interest to Jonas?

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5• 1. Why were Gabe’s eyes of such interest to Jonas?

• Most people in the community had dark eyes. Gabe’s pale eyes were like his own; they formed a bond between the two boys.


• 2. How did Lily react to the new word “hippo”? Why did she react this way?

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5• 2. How did Lily react to the new word “hippo”? Why

did she react this way?

• To her, it was a funny word and she had no idea that there actually was such an animal as a hippopotamus.


• 3. Why did Jonas risk the humiliation of public chastisement for taking an apple from the recreation area?

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5• 3. Why did Jonas risk the humiliation of public chastisement for

taking an apple from the recreation area?

• Jonas was so curious about the apple that he felt it was worth the risk to bring it home to try to solve its mystery.


• 4. Why was Jonas interested in finding out where Roberto went upon release?

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5• 4. Why was Jonas interested in finding out where Roberto went

upon release?

• Jonas is very intelligent; it’s natural for him to be curious about an important event that was so shrouded in mystery.


• 5. What effect did the pills have on Jonas and the other people who took them? Why do you think all adults were required to take them?

The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5• 5. What effect did the pills have on Jonas and the other people

who took them? Why do you think all adults were required to take them?

• The pills destroyed sexual impulses. • Strong sexual impulses would upset

the carefully ordered community.


• 1. Under what circumstances was Gabriel allowed a second year of nurturing? Why do you think the community made this exception to the rules?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 1. Under what circumstances was Gabriel allowed a

second year of nurturing? Why do you think the community made this exception to the rules?

• Gabriel was given a second year based on Father’s plea, and the family’s signed agreement that they would not form a permanent attachment to Gabe.


• 2. What do you think was the difference between Release and Loss?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 2. What do you think was the difference between Release and

Loss?

• “Loss” was the community’s word for accidental death, such as drowning.

• “Release” is for weak newchildren, the very old, and third-time transgressors. “Release” is ???


• 3. What was the significance of the bicycles that were given to the Nines?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 3. What was the significance of the bicycles that were given to

the Nines?

• They symbolize the beginning of some independence.


• 4. Why was Jonas skeptical that anyone might be unhappy with life in the community?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 4. Why was Jonas skeptical that anyone might be

unhappy with life in the community?

• Jonas believed that life in the community was perfect.


• 5. Why had Asher been punished for confusing the words “snack” and “smack”? What does this punishment reveal about the community?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 5. Why had Asher been punished for confusing the words

“snack” and “smack”? What does this punishment reveal about the community?

• The community punished children for misusing language because precise language was required in an ordered society.

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 6. What set the

Ceremony of Twelve apart from all other age ceremonies?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 6. What set the Ceremony of Twelve apart from all

other age ceremonies?

• It marked the end of childhood and the beginning of adult responsibilities.


• 7. Why did the community make the distinction between “Selection” for Receiver of Memory and “Assignment” for all other occupations?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 7. Why did the community make the distinction

between “Selection” for Receiver of Memory and “Assignment” for all other occupations?

• It emphasizes the importance of it to the entire community.

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 8. What was

unusual about the appearance of the bearded Elder? What was significant about this characteristic?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 8. What was unusual about the appearance of the

bearded Elder? What was significant about this characteristic?

• He had pale eyes; this hints at a bond between him and Jonas and maybe even Gabriel.


• 9. Why was Jonas chosen to be the next Receiver of Memory?

The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8• 9. Why was Jonas chosen to be the next Receiver of

Memory?

• He was intelligent and had integrity, but above all, he was able “to see beyond.”


• 1. How did Jonas feel after receiving his adult Assignment? Why? What did Asher’s hesitation in congratulating Jonas indicate?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 1. How did Jonas feel after receiving his adult Assignment?

Why? What did Asher’s hesitation in congratulating Jonas indicate?

• Jonas felt uneasy; everyone seemed wary of him.

• Even Asher hesitated, not knowing whether he could talk to his friend in the usual way.


• 2. Which item in the list of duties and responsibilities frightened Jonas? Why?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 2. Which item in the list of duties and responsibilities

frightened Jonas? Why?

• The rule permitting Jonas to lie startled him because children were taught never to lie.

• Permission to lie caused Jonas to question whether everyone in the community lied. What and whom could he believe?


• 3. Why was the concept of pain beyond Jonas’s comprehension? How did he know this was about to change?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 3. Why was the concept of pain beyond Jonas’s

comprehension? How did he know this was about to change?

• All members of the community had been spared physical pain.

• Now, Jonas knew that pain would be part of his training.


• 4. What was unique about the Annex?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 4. What was unique about the Annex?• The Receiver of Memory’s private

room had a lock, luxurious furnishings, an “off” switch on the speaker, and a library.


• 5. At first, why did Jonas misinterpret the Receiver’s job of transmitting memories of the past?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 5. At first, why did Jonas misinterpret the Receiver’s

job of transmitting memories of the past?

• Jonas didn’t understand that an entirely different world existed before his community was established, nor that the Giver could have memories of things before his birth.


• 6. Why was the transmittal of the memory of snow so exhausting to the old man?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 6. Why was the transmittal of the memory of snow so

exhausting to the old man?

• He had to retrieve it from the far distant past. No one in the community had experienced snow for many generations.

• It had been made obsolete because of the unpredictable element it brought into life.


• 7. What two lessons did Jonas Learn about the sun?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 7. What two lessons did Jonas Learn about the sun?

• The sun is a source of pleasure and pain.

• There were places beyond his community to learn about.

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 8. Why did The

Giver appear a little sad at the end of the first day of training?

The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11• 8. Why did The Giver appear a little sad at the end of the first

day of training?

• The Giver was saddened by the realization of the burden Jonas was about to endure.

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13

• 1. How did Jonas’s relationship with his parents and friends change after he received his Life Assignment?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 1. How did Jonas’s relationship with his parents and friends

change after he received his Life Assignment?

• He could no longer be open and honest with his family and friends because he was not permitted to discuss his dreams or his training.


• 2. How did The Giver explain the visual phenomena that Jonas witnessed? What did this reveal about the community?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 2. How did The Giver explain the visual phenomena that Jonas

witnessed? What did this reveal about the community?

• Jonas was beginning to see the color red.

• Everyone in the community, except for The Giver, did not see color!


• 3. Why did the community relinquish the ability to see color?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 3. Why did the community relinquish the ability to see color?

• They decided to give up color when they chose sameness as a way of life.

• Anything that involved choice was dangerous because it led to the possibility of wrong choices.


• 4. Why was it important for The Receiver of Memory to have The Capacity to See Beyond?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 4. Why was it important for The Receiver of Memory

to have The Capacity to See Beyond?

• He had to observe life objectively, not see things as they had been engineered by the scientists.

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 5. Why did Jonas

refer to Gabe as his little brother? Could this be true?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 5. Why did Jonas refer to Gabe as his little brother?

Could this be true?

• A bond had developed between them because both boys had unusual pale eyes.

• They might in fact be biologically related.


• 6. Why did The Giver warn Jonas about having a spouse and children?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 6. Why did The Giver warn Jonas about having a

spouse and children?

• From experience, The Giver knew how difficult it was to have a family and not be able to share information about his work.


• 7. Why was The Giver bitter about the Council of Elders?

The Giver – Chapters 12 &13• 7. Why was The Giver bitter about the Council of Elders?

• The Giver wished they would ask for his wisdom more often.

• Despite the honor, The Giver felt useless and powerless.

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16

• 1. How was Jonas’s second experience with snow unlike the first? Why did The Giver offer Jonas this experience?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 1. How was Jonas’s second experience with snow unlike the

first? Why did The Giver offer Jonas this experience?

• The first was delightful; the second was painful and terrifying.

• The Giver had to transmit the memory of pain to Jonas.


• 2. According to the Giver, why did Jonas have to receive and store memories of pain? What does this tell you about the community?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 2. According to the Giver, why did Jonas have to receive and store

memories of pain? What does this tell you about the community?

• The Giver believed that wisdom was only achieved through the experience of pain.

• He thought the people were selfish and afraid.


• 3. Why did The Giver apologize to Jonas after sharing the memory of war?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 3. Why did The Giver apologize to Jonas after sharing the

memory of war?

• He had subjected Jonas to terrible pain.


• 4. Why were Jonas and his father worried about Gabriel’s fretfulness at night? How did Jonas try to solve this problem?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 4. Why were Jonas and his father worried about Gabriel’s

fretfulness at night? How did Jonas try to solve this problem?

• They knew that Gabriel would have to be Released unless his sleep habits improved.

• Jonas transmitted calming memories to him.


• 5. Why did the Memory of grandparents disturb Jonas?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 5. Why did the Memory of grandparents disturb Jonas?

• Jonas appreciated the warm family feelings that existed when grandparents were not sent to the House of the Old.

• This made him worry about the fate of his own parents.


• 6. Why couldn’t Jonas’s parents answer his question about love?

The Giver – Chapters 14 -16• 6. Why couldn’t Jonas’s parents answer his question about love?

• “Love” had become outdated, meaningless because intense feelings were deemed dangerous.

• This would upset the pattern of Sameness in the community.


• 1. How did Jonas’s range of emotions differ from those of his family and friends?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 1. How did Jonas’s range of emotions differ from

those of his family and friends?

• Jonas had a broader range of emotions than anyone he knew.


• 2. How did Jonas react to the children’s war game?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 2. How did Jonas react to the children’s war game?

• Jonas was terribly upset by the war play because he understood the devastating nature of war.


• 3. Why did Jonas feel powerless and alone when Fiona and Asher rode off on their bicycles?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 3. Why did Jonas feel powerless and alone when

Fiona and Asher rode off on their bicycles?

• Jonas realized he could never recover the relationships he had with his friends.

• He could not give his friends memories, and they would never experience real feelings.


• 4. Why did the community refer to the former Receiver-in-training as a failure? How did this failure affect the rules that applied to Jonas?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 4. Why did the community refer to the former Receiver-in-training as a

failure? How did this failure affect the rules that applied to Jonas?

• The former Receiver-in-training had been unable to deal with painful memories and had requested Release.

• Now the rules change makes it impossible for Jonas to request Release.


• 5. What shocked Jonas when he viewed his father “releasing” one of the newborn twins?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 5. What shocked Jonas when he viewed his father

“releasing” one of the newborn twins?

• His father had given the newborn child a lethal injection.


• 6. What did Jonas learn about the community’s prohibition against lying?

The Giver – Chapters 17 -19• 6. What did Jonas learn about the community’s

prohibition against lying?

• He realized that lying seemed to be permitted when he understood that “release” really meant killing.

The Giver – Chapter 20

• 1. Why would Fiona, a trainee in the care of the old, probably accept the practice of releasing the old?

The Giver – Chapter 20• 1. Why would Fiona, a trainee in the care of the old,

probably accept the practice of releasing the old?

• She had been trained to follow instructions.

• She had not been trained to have deep feelings such as distress.


• 2. Why was The Giver now ready to make a plan for change?

The Giver – Chapter 20• 2. Why was The Giver now ready to make a plan for change?

• Jonas was strong enough to help The Giver make a change in the community.


• 3. Why would Jonas’s departure from the community lead to possible change?

The Giver – Chapter 20• 3. Why would Jonas’s departure from the community

lead to possible change?

• In learning to deal with the

memories, the people might gain some wisdom, which could lead to change.


• 4. Why did The Giver decide to stay behind to help the community? Is it the right decision?

The Giver – Chapter 20• 4. Why did The Giver decide to stay behind to help

the community? Is it the right decision?

• Without his assistance and protection, the people would be thrown into chaos by the memories.


• 5. Why did Jonas and The Giver choose the December Ceremony as the time to implement their plan?

The Giver – Chapter 20• 5. Why did Jonas and The Giver choose the December

Ceremony as the time to implement their plan?

• Everyone in the community would be attending the Ceremony and the roads would not be watched.


• 1. How did Father’s sweet, sing-song voice affect Jonas on their last evening together?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 1. How did Father’s sweet, sing-song voice affect Jonas on their last

evening together?

• He made up his mind to leave that night with Gabe because he couldn’t stand to have his father kill Gabe.


• 2. What would have happened to Jonas and Gabe had the searchers found them?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 2. What would have happened to Jonas and Gabe had the

searchers found them?

• Gabe would have been released. • Jonas would have been given

another chance because the community needs him to be the Receiver.


• 3. In what way was Jonas handicapped by his early departure?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 3. In what way was Jonas handicapped by his early departure?

• He couldn’t bring enough food and clothes for both of them.

• He could have used more memories of strength and courage.

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 4. How was Jonas

able to use memories to foil the search planes? In what other ways did memories help Jonas during the journey?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 4. How was Jonas able to use memories to foil the search planes? In

what other ways did memories help Jonas during the journey?

• He thought of memories of snow making them both cold and preventing the heat-seeking search planes to find them.

• The memory of the sled, the ride, the house and people at Christmas time gave him strength and courage to continue.


• 5. How was Jonas able to recall their destination from a memory of his own?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 5. How was Jonas able to recall their destination from a

memory of his own?

• This was The Giver’s favorite memory and he had given it to him.


• 6. What might have been the source of the music that Jonas thought he heard behind him?

The Giver – Chapters 21 - 23• 6. What might have been the source of the music that Jonas

thought he heard behind him?

• The Giver had the power to “hear beyond.” Maybe he was “sending” music to Jonas to comfort him and keep him going on his difficult journey.

the giver – chapters 1 & 2

Documents

giver chapters

entire community

way children

gabes eyes

gabes pale eyes

dark eyes

new word hippo

terrifying experience