“The Giver”

Vocabulary: chapters 1-2 rasping, palpable, unison, distraught, apprehensive, pondered, prominent, enhance, adherence.

Chapters 1-2 Spouses are given to adults, not chosen by themselves Each family is allowed one daughter and one son The word “released.” The Ceremony of Twelve Receiving Lily in the December Ceremony years before Comfort objects (stuffed animals) being given to sleep with only at night Stuffed animals described as imaginary creatures (bear and elephant)

Chap 1 notes: Jonas, the novel's 11-year-old protagonist, is nervous about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve. While struggling to find the right word to define his feelings, he decides he is apprehensive rather than frightened. The only time he can remember being frightened was when a strange plane flew over the community the year before. Afterward, the Speaker for the community announced over the loudspeakers that the pilot had been punished by being "released," a word which Jonas knows should only be used with caution. He once used it jokingly to his friend Asher, and was reprimanded for it. Asher, however, is not always as careful with his use of words, and is always getting in trouble for it.

Chap 1 notes continued: After Jonas's mother explains her worries about a criminal who came before her as a second offender in the Department of Justice and will be released after a third offense, Jonas describes his apprehension about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve, in which he will be assigned the job he will have for the rest of his life.

Chapters 1-5 vocabulary chastise, remorse, bewildered, nondescript, tunic, regulated, invariably, hasten, serene.

Chap 2 notes: Committee of Elders monitors Elevens' interest so as to place them where they would best be able to do good work for the community. Jonas remembers the Committee monitoring his group of Elevens, but he is unsure what kind of job he will be given. Jonas and his parents discuss the annual ceremonies. At the ceremony of One, the 50 babies in that year's group are given names and assigned to families so that each family unit eventually has one boy and one girl.

Chap 2 notes continued: They continue to discuss the ceremonies. At Eight, children's stuffed animals are taken away. At Nine, they are given bicycles. At Twelve, they are given their jobs, which they will hold for life. Rules are made by the Committee of Elders, and rules are very hard to get changed.

Chapter 3: Chap 3: The incident with the apple when Jonas says it changed. He says the apple is “the same nondescript shade, about the same shade as his tunic.” (p. 24) Foreshadowing

Chapter 4: When Jonas goes to do volunteer hours at the House of the Old the attendant tells him they celebrated a release that day. Discuss the author’s way of describing a release by using the word “celebrated.” What does that say about release? This chapter describes a common practice in the society. Older people who cannot care for themselves are bathed by younger people, even children.

Chapter 5: Vocabulary chortled, recounted, vague

Chap 5: On pg. 34, Lowry writes, “’Thank you for your dream, Lily.’ Jonas said the standard phrase automatically…” Ask students to comment on that detail about what is expected from the members of the community. What would happen if he hadn’t said those expected words? After breakfast, Jonas’ mother puts the leftovers by the front door for the Collection Crew to take. Discuss this detail as it shows the society is not allowed to cook for themselves. (Food Distribution Workers were mentioned earlier in the book.)

Activity: On loose leaf, have students write about the parts of the story so far that may have confused them. Have them tell if they think Jonas lives in a perfect community? Why do they feel this way?