Characters
Who is the main character who receives memories?
Jonas
What does the community call the permanent removal of a citizen?
Release
At which Ceremony do children receive their lifelong assignments?
The Ceremony of Twelve
What is the first symbol of color Jonas recognizes?
the red apple
Explain this quote:
He killed it! My father killed it! Jonas said to himself, stunned at what he was realizing. He continued to stare at the screen numbly.
This is after the moment that Jonas watches his father perform a lethal injection on the twin that is set to be released. His father has no knowledge that he is throwing the baby away and killing it. Jonas feels betrayed.
Who trains Jonas to receive memories?
The Giver
What word describes the community’s enforced sameness and lack of difference?
Sameness
Why does Jonas begin to see color?
Because he begins receiving memories and restoes his perception beyond sameness.
What is one main theme in the novel?
Memory, the necessity of feeling, individuality over control, love and caring about others is worth the risk, etc.
Explain this quote:
"I had to, Jonas. It was my job. And she had been chosen." The Giver looked at him imploringly. Jonas stroked his hand.
This quote shows the obligation for the Giver to transmit memories to the receiver no matter the consequences. This is from the Giver to Rosemary. He feels immeasurable guilt at her death and Jonas is comforting him. This shows the deep relationship and love they have for each other.
Describe Gabriel’s role beyond being a baby cared for by Jonas’s family; how does Gabe influence Jonas’s decisions?
Gabriel is the additional baby Jonas's family takes in. He is a symbol of innocence and hope. Jonas's desire to protect Gabe motivates his plan to leave and care for him.
What are stirrings and how does being medicated affect the characters?
What secret does Jonas learn about “release” after watching the recording?
That release is a lethal injection, not a celebration. It involves killing others.
How does “Sameness” limit people in the community?
It removes choices, differences, and strong emotions. It prevents individuality, meaningful choices, and love.
Explain this quote:
ATTENTION. THIS IS A REMINDER TO MALE ELEVENS THAT OBJECTS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE RECREATION AREA AND THAT SNACKS ARE TO BE EATEN, NOT HOARDED
This is an announcement made to Jonas about keeping an apple for his first flicker of color. Jonas "hoarded it" to see if it changed. This community values order and community over individuality.
How did Rosemary react to the memories of loss compared to Jonas? How are they different?
Rosemary was overwhelmed and asked for release. Jonas is disturbed and betrayed but this makes him determined to act. The difference is their training and guidance from the Giver.
The Receiver holds “memory” as a burden. Describe two consequences (social or emotional) the Receiver role has for the Receiver and for the community.
For the Receiver: isolation, emotional pain from holding memories; for the community: protection from pain but also lack of wisdom and empathy.
What does the memory of the sled and snow lead Jonas to realize?
The sled memory gives Jonas the sensory experience of joy and pain. It helps him understand what the community lacks and prompts his first thoughts against his community's way of life.
How does the novel link knowledge and suffering? Is it necessary?
The giver says pain allows understanding and empathy. The memories and knowledge of war or loss shows that without pain people cannot learn compassion. The memories help Jonas to gain a deeper understanding (deeper iceberg).
Explain this quote:
The boy sighed. His head fell back, his lower jaw drop-ping as if he had been surprised by something.
A dull blankness slid slowly across his eyes. He was silent.
This is the first memory of real pain that the Giver is giving Jonas. It is the memory of war and death. It is what is plaguing the Giver that Jonas offers to take because he cares about him. He experiences death for the first time as he watches the soldier die in his arms. He said he would welcome death himself after experiencing this memory. He did not want to come back and started to realize how much of a burden his community put on him.
How do the Council of Elders enforce sameness? Provide at least one example.
They control the community through controlled (precision of) language. They also control the community through their job determination and for the use of pills.
Analyze how the community’s controlled language limits citizens’ understanding.
Using the word “release” hides reality, preventing moral questioning. Release is presented as peaceful when it is actually lethal. It keeps citizens ignorant and compliant.
How does Jonas's escape resolve or complicate the end of the book?
It resolves Jonas’s personal rebellion (he acts on knowledge) but complicates the community’s fate (uncertain whether memories will truly return or if Jonas succeeds).
Does the book represent memory as hope, a burden, or both?
Both because memories burden the Giver with pain (Rosemary's release, the broken leg, war) but offer hope and richness (music, color, light) that Jonas wants to restore.
Explain this quote:
"Giver," Jonas suggested, "you and I don't need to care about the rest of them."
The Giver looked at him with a questioning smile. Jonas hung his head. Of course they needed to care. It was the meaning of everything.
This quote is from the explanation of the Giver and Jonas's plan to let the memories come back to the community. The meaning of everything is to love and to care. Jonas and the Giver know this. It reveals the final plot point of the book and their determination to change their community.