The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2

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

2. 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.

3. The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2 • 2. What do you think might happen to someone who is released from the community?

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. The Giver – Chapters 1 & 2 • 4. What was unique about the way children are born and infants are cared for in the community?

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

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

15. 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.

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

17. 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.

18. The Giver – Chapters 3 - 5 • 3. Why did Jonas risk the humiliation of public chastisement for taking an apple from the recreation area?

19. 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.

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

21. 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.

22. 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?

23. 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.

25. 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?

26. 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.

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

28. 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 ???

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

30. 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.

31. The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8 • 4. Why was Jonas skeptical that anyone might be unhappy with life in the community?

32. 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.

33. 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?

34. 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.

35. 6. What set the Ceremony of Twelve apart from all other age ceremonies? The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8

36. 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.

37. 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? Selection Assignment

38. 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.

39. 8. What was unusual about the appearance of the bearded Elder? What was significant about this characteristic? The Giver – Chapters 6 - 8

40. 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.

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

42. 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.”

43. 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?

44. 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.

45. The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11 • 2. Which item in the list of duties and responsibilities frightened Jonas? Why?

46. 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?

47. 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?

48. 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.

49. The Giver – Chapters 9 - 11 • 4. What was unique about the Annex?

50. 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.