The Giver Notes and Ideas to ponder during the novel.

Chapter 1 What do you think the term “released” means in the novel? How is this society structured? What did the family do at the dinner conversation? What was discussed? Any other strange things you notice?

Chapter 2 Why is Jonas apprehensive? What is the ceremony for the Twelve. Why is it so important? Are there anymore ceremonies after? What happens to age after 12? How would you describe these ceremonies for importance? What is a Comfort Object? What was strange about their descriptions?

Chapter 3 Who is Gabriel and why is he in their living quarters? Why did Lily’s parents get so upset about her wanting to be a birthmother? What do you think that all means??? What is happening to the apple? Pay close attention to the descriptions!!

Chapter 6 Gabriel’s situation as uncertain & Jonas’s definition of “released” The special ceremonies for naming, replacing, & loss What happens at the various ceremonies- What is this all for?? How are spouses chosen?

Chapter 7 What do we learn about Asher’s childhood? What stands out? What assignment had Jonas received? ** How would you characterize the priorities of this community as a whole?

Chapter 8 How is Jonas’s selection different and what was his job? What were the key qualities for becoming the Receiver? Why are these five essential? What changed at the end of chapter 8? How is it similar to the apple?

Chapter 9 Why were people hesitant to talk to Jonas after he received his assignment? What happened to the last person chosen to be receiver? What was their name? Look at the list of duties. Which ones do you find the most interesting and why? What do you think Jonas is going to be doing as “Receiver”?

Chapter 10 What was different about the books in the Receiver’s room? How did that affect Jonas? What is the job of the receiver? What is Jonas going to “receive”? How does Jonas react to this? What is very clear about Jonas’s community compared to our world?

Chapter 17 Explain how Jonas compares his emotions to his family’s and friends’ emotions. Why are his so different? Examine how Jonas realizes that he can no longer be friends with Asher and Fiona. Why? Do you think Jonas still loves the community like he did at the beginning of the novel? Think about how you would respond.

Chapter 18 Why do you think Jonas asks about being released? Who was Rosemary and what happened to her? Why do you think Rosemary did that? Why was the Giver interested in Jonas disappearing? What would happen to the community? Why does he think this is an interesting idea?

Chapter 19 How does Jonas have the ability to watch someone be released? How did Jonas’s father make the decision to release one of the twins? What does he do? What do you think about this process?

The Giver Elements of Plot

Exposition Setting and Main Characters Community & some time in the future Jonas, The Giver, Gabriel,

Initiating Action Event that gets the conflict started. Jonas noticing changes (apple example)

Rising Action Events that add to the conflict and lead to the Climax Jonas being assigned the position of receiver. Jonas being able to break the rules Receiving the memories from the Giver

Complications Events that are obstacles during the conflict. Relationships with family. Feelings for Fiona. Gabriel staying at Jonas’s house

Climax The highest point of tension or turning point of the story. Jonas learns what it means to be released.

Falling Action Events that are a result of the climax. Jonas’s escape plan Gabriel being scheduled to be released. Trying to find elsewhere.

Resolution (Denouement) Tying of the loose ends: Any ideas?? Mr. Auten’s theory:....