1. The Giver
Ms. Mendoza
ELA Grade 8

2. Chapters 1-2
Author uses 3rd person omniscient …. Major themes: sameness OVER individuality… security over freedom Starts out with a pilot accidentally flying over the community. The loud speaker announces that he would be “released” from the community. PROTAGONIST: Jonas… his life seems perfect. *both parents work (father: nurturer, mother: Dept. of Justice) Their “assignments” were given by Elders…who observed them and noted character traits… EVERY BODY in society lives by rules from the BOOK OF RULES. If three are broken, t hey will be released.

3. Chapters 1-2 continued
Every morning starts with a pledge-type of hymn. All citizens must use precise language. SAMENESS is absolutely required. IF someone points out a difference, t hen they will be reprimanded since it is considered RUDE. In the Giver society, people have no interaction of ANIMALS. So, “animal” has a different connotation in the GIVER. For example, when Lily (Jonas’s little sister)

4. Chapters 1-2 continued
The society lacks CHOICES. *spouses are assigned to adults *families (called UNITS) must apply for children…one boy and one girl *women who are assigned as birth mothers may have three babies which are taken away immediately …then they are assigned as laborers *only 50 babies are allowed to be born (this is to control population) *at age 9 children are given bikes (same ones)….riding bikes is the norm because of the rule of keeping the environment as clean as possible

5. Chapters 1-2 continued
How one is “released”… *old age …. They are then given a ceremony “celebration” *infant: if he/she does not develop enough before the December ceremonies Gabriel wasn’t developing enough…thus Father took him home for extra nurturing …. The family unit is given a major rule: THEY must not LOVE him.

6. continued
Although SAMENESS is the rule… a few of the characters seem to act as individuals at times. *Father: takes home Gabriel (since he is concerned about him)…and peeks at his name (against rules)

7. Conditioning
People in the society are so conditioned that by following rules… t hey are doing the right thing… THUS it doesn’t occur to them to think on their own.

8. Chapters 3-5
When Father brings home Gabriel who is at risk for being released… Lilly mentions his EYES. Jonas reprimands her for being RUDE… remember that pointing out differences is unacceptable.
*During discussions, Lilly expresses that she wants to be a BIRTHmother…. Mother tells her that the job is a lowly job… thus implicating that there is some type of caste system.
Loudspeakers: are EVERYWHERE including the “dwellings”… they are used to “call people out”….

9. Chapters 3-5 continued
Jonas notices that he is being observed more and more
Jonas is reprimanded via the LOUD speaker …. He took an apple … and noticed that it changed as he was playing catch with Asher.
He was forced to apologize for taking the apple…but couldn’t really explain why he took it….
(the author used FORESHADOWING here)

10. Chapters 3-5
At age 8, children begin VOLUNTEER hours. It appears that they have some freedom because they can choose where they want to do their volunteer hours at... They can choose various places…but even this is CONTROLLED; the elders observe them and record everything. This will help them choose their assignments when they turn 12. Jonas chose the House of Old. While bathing an elderly person, he learns t hat Roberto was “released”… he learns about some of the rituals of the ceremony. His life story is told and people (like robots) clap… thus appearing that everybody’s life has meaning… but it doesn’t.

11. Chapters 3-5
The elderly lady starts talking about how Edna isn’t smart… THIS reveals that people do judge others in this “utopian” world. Later, Jonas tells his mother about a dream that he had about Fiona (a teen like him). He tells her how he had feelings toward her …and he couldn’t explain why. Mother said that he had “STIRRINGS” (a euphemism) and that he would have to take a pill from that day forward. This pill would squash all “feelings.” This is another way the Elders control society.

12. Chapters 6-8
Chapter six starts out with Jonas’s family preparing for the December ceremony (two days long)… it is a turning point for the elevens because they will turn twelve… and will be given their assignments.
Also… babies will be assigned their family units
SAMENESS is emphasized heavily:
4’s – 6’s must wear jackets that button on the back ( to emphasize interdependency)
7’s- must wear jackets that button in the front (symbolizing independence)
8’s- they receive pockets which further emphasizes independence

13. Chapters 6-8 continued
During the December ceremony the author introduces the concept of a REPLACEMENT baby.
Caleb replaces a baby who was lost in the river. The baby’s name was also Caleb. The family unit is now complete again.
IT is RARE to have a LOSS…because if everybody follows the rules… everything runs as it should.
A new baby …named Roberto…is assigned to a family unit. After elderly are released, their names are put on a list… and are reused.

14. Chapters 6-8 continued
People who don’t behave the same as others… JEOPARDIZE the order and success of the community. So…when little Fritz gets into trouble…it causes problems for his parents who are seen as unfit parents. Speech: The chief elder acknowledges differences among the children (which is IRONIC), but he emphasized that years and years were spent STANDARDIZING the children.

15. Chapter 8 continued
Assignments are then given to the children…. Who are now considered adults… If a person receives an assignment that he or she doesn’t like, they can apply for “release”… Jonas soon learns that he is to become the RECEIVER of memories!