Early Community Life (Ch. 1–4)
what is Sameness?
Sameness means no one is different—everyone looks, acts, and lives the same way.
At what age do children receive their Assignments?
Twelve.
Where does Jonas go each day for training?
The Giver’s dwelling.
Who is Gabriel?
The baby from the nurturing center who is not progressing well so the father brings him home in the evenings to help him grow.
Why does the Giver agree to stay behind when Jonas escapes?
The Giver agrees to stay behind to help the community deal with the memories.
What is one way that Jonas is different from other members in the community?
-Pale Eyes
-Ability to See Beyond
What unusual thing happens when it is Jonas’s turn at the Ceremony?
The Chief Elder skips him at first.
What is the first memory Jonas receives?
Snow and sledding.
Why does Gabriel risk being released?
He does not sleep through the night.
Why must Jonas leave sooner than planned?
His father plans to release Gabriel.
Why do members of the community need to take a pill?
To stop the Stirrings.
What Assignment is Jonas finally given?
Receiver of Memory.
What rule allows Jonas to lie?
The Receiver is exempt from rules about lying.
What memory does the Giver transmit to Jonas to help him?
A memory of pain and suffering.
What supplies does Jonas take when he escapes?
Food, a bicycle, and Gabriel.
What happens to the twin who is smaller at birth?
He is released.
Why was Jonas selected for this role?
He has intelligence, integrity, courage, wisdom, and the Capacity to See Beyond.
What painful memory makes Jonas understand suffering?
A war memory
What does Jonas see in the video of his father?
His father releases a newborn.
Why does Jonas want to leave the community first?
Jonas wants to leave the community because he realizes it is built on control, lies, and the removal of real emotions. He believes that leaving will return memories to the people and force the community to face the truth and change.
What hints to the reader that release is not what it seems?
The word “release” is used casually and without explanation. The community thinks that release means you go live somewhere else. (Elsewhere)
Who was the previous Receiver-in-training before Jonas and what happened to her?
Rosemary. She applied for release because she could not handle the pain and isolation of holding all the memories from the community.
Jonas realizes that when the community gave up memories to avoid pain, they also gave up what?
joy, love, and color.
What does Jonas realize “release” truly means?
Death.
What happens to the memories when Jonas leaves the community?
They begin to return to the people.