Vocabulary
Death
Characters
Memories
The Community
100

A gentle/moderate punishment meant for minor transgressions.

Chastisement

100
This is the polite way of saying "murder" in the community.

Release

100

The protagonist of the story.

Jonas

100

This is the first thing that triggers Jonas's "seeing beyond" during a game with Asher and forever separates him from the nondescript shade of the community.

Apple

100

This job is what Lily wanted to be, but was told not to because there was no honor in it. Even though the community is "equal," people still look down on people who have this role.

It is also how the community can ensure that every family is equal in size.

Birthmother
200

A story that, when examined more closely, has a deeper meaning or moral.

Allegory

200

This daughter of the Giver was released due to her pain from her training, sending all the memories back to the community.

Rosemary

200
This character also bears the mark of the receiver and receives several memories from Jonas throughout the novel.

Gabriel

200

Jonas's first lengthy and pleasant memory given to him by the Giver.

Sledding

200
This is the event where Jonas was revealed to be the next receiver of memory.

The Ceremony of the 12

300

This kind of figurative speech compares two unlike things to describe the "vibe" of one thing.

Metaphor

300

The name of the boy who drowned in the river but was replaced.

Caleb

300

Jonas's little sister who struggles to empathize with others. She is clumsy and reckless, but very much aligned with the community and its rules.

Lily

300

This is the memory that distances Jonas from Asher. Seeing this memory exposes him to the pain of the world and death.

War

300
Jonas's father was "forced" to release one of two babies for this reason.

They were twins

400

This kind of figurative language provides detailed description using the five senses to emphasize the traits something may have.

Imagery

400

This is what Jonas's father said after releasing the little twin.

"Bye bye, little guy!"

400

Jonas's former best friend. He is clumsy and aloof. The two become estranged due to Jonas's increased status and awareness of the evils of the world.

Asher

400

This is the best memory Jonas is given by the Giver. The thought of this is what keeps him courageous as he sleds down the hill at the end of the book. This is what his big takeaway was from the Christmas party with the grandparents.

Love

400
This is a liberty that Jonas was given in his instructions after he became the receiver of memory. After being given this role, he wondered if other members in the community were also given this right.

Lying

500

The word explains why the community gives small children coats with buttons on the back that they cannot undo on their own.

Interdependence

500
This is the place people are "sent" when they are released.

Elsewhere

500

Jonas's first crush and a skilled releaser of the elderly.

Fiona

500

This is a minor pain Jonas is given by the Giver. It is one reason why the community regulates the weather.

Sunburn

500

This is what the community calls the forced equality that they created when equalizing the weather, food consumption, and family rearing.

Sameness.

M
e
n
u