Literary Terms
Define dystopia in your own words.
Several correct responses but points that must be made:
1. Society seems good and orderly at first
2. Real harm is happening behind the scenes
3. Typically strict punishments and violence
What is Jonas's official job title that he finds out at the Ceremony of Twelve?
Receiver of Memory
If Ms. Amadon had the class vote on "Should we have homework for the rest of the year?" Everyone would likely vote the same, it would be _________.
Unanimous
What is the primary method of transportation used by citizens in the community? What age do people receive this method of transportation?
Children receive their own bicycle at the Ceremony of Nine, which symbolizes their growing independence and responsibility within the community.
Lowry putting the Father's light-hearted tone next to the act of release is _______.
Juxtaposition
"Release" and "Elsewhere" are examples of _____________, when a person uses a soft word for a harsh concept.
Euphemism
What are three things the community sacrificed in order to have "sameness"?
1. color 2. music 3. memories 4. climate 5. cooking
etc...
A word that gradually goes out of use eventually becomes _______.
Obsolete
How are family units created and structured in Jonas's society?
Family units are strictly regulated and constructed by the Committee of Elders. Adults must apply for a spouse, and pairs are matched based on compatibility. Each family unit is allowed a maximum of two children—one male and one female—who are applied for and assigned at the annual Ceremony of Ones
What is one lesson Lowry teaches us through the memories that Jonas receives?
Several potential answers.
The community does not allow choosing your own job, spouse, or child's name. This forced sameness is called __________.
Conformity
Why does Jonas have to change the escape plan he made with The Giver at the last minute?
Jonas discovers that Gabriel is scheduled to be released.
To "release" someone was really just a gentler way to _____ them to death.
condemn
Explain the dual meaning of the word "Release" as it is understood by the general public versus what it actually entails.
To the general public, "Release" is viewed as a peaceful, somewhat celebratory departure from the community to a mysterious place called "Elsewhere"—often used for the elderly, unmanageable newchildren, or those who commit major infractions. In reality, "Release" is lethal injection (euthanasia) used to maintain strict population control and eliminate anyone who does not fit the community's perfect mold
Why does Lois Lowry choose to write the story using a third-person limited perspective focused entirely on Jonas, rather than an omniscient narrator?
By limiting the perspective to Jonas, Lowry ensures that the reader experiences the community's secrets and revelations at the exact same pace Jonas does. This creates a powerful sense of discovery and intimacy, allowing the reader to feel the sudden shock of learning the truth about "Release" or experiencing color for the first time alongside him.
Name two concepts Lowry kept ambiguous.
1. Release 2. Elsewhere 3. The ending 4. The outside world 5. Stirrings / the pills
What are three memories that Jonas receives from The Giver?
Many possible answers
A source of relief or peace during a hard time.
Solace
How does the community's strict use of "precision of language" serve as a tool for psychological and social control?
The strict requirement for precision of language prevents citizens from exaggerating, lying, or misinterpreting rules, but its true purpose is to dampen strong emotions and independent thought. By forcing citizens to use sterile, precise words (such as changing "starving" to "hungry"), the community prevents people from feeling or understanding deep suffering, love, or rebellion, making them easier to govern.
Describe one biblical allusion in The Giver.
1. Gabriel, angel
2. Exodus, journey out of the community
3. Jonas, Moses
Explain the difference between dissonance and juxtaposition.
Who is Rosemary? Describe her story.
Rosemary is The Giver's daughter. She was chosen to be the receiver of memory and elected to self-release.
If something fives the troubling sense that something terrible is about to happen, it could be described as ___________.
Ominous
Why does a community built entirely on eliminating pain and conflict still require the role of the Receiver of Memory?
The community requires a Receiver for two vital reasons: to provide wisdom to the Committee of Elders when they face unprecedented situations, and to act as a psychological shield for the citizens. Without a single person containing the collective pain, grief, and warfare of human history, those memories would return to the general public. The citizens lack the emotional depth to process suffering, meaning the sudden return of memories would completely destroy their fragile system of "Sameness."
Why does Lois Lowry deliberately choose an ambiguous ending for the novel, and what thematic purpose does this open-endedness serve?
Lowry uses ambiguity in the final scene—where Jonas and Gabe ride a sled toward music and lights—to leave the fate of the characters up to the reader's own hope and imagination. If interpreted literally, they find a real society that celebrated Christmas. If interpreted metaphorically, it may be a dying hallucination. By refusing to give a definitive answer, Lowry forces the reader to actively participate in the text, reinforcing the novel's core theme: the vital importance of personal choice, even when outcomes are uncertain.