The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters 3-5

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1 The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapter Why is Jonas frightened when he sees a strange plane flying over his Community? 2. How old is Jonas? Why is he apprehensive or anxious about the month of December? 3. Define euphemism. What do you think the euphemism released means? For what reasons can people be released from the Community? 4. Find two examples of standard responses (common things a person might say in response to someone else such as goodbye when leaving) in this chapter. In what way might these phrases be considered clichés? 5. What may we infer from the following passage? That s right Lily said, laughing too. Like animals. Neither child knew what the word meant, exactly, but it was often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy, someone who didn t fit in. (Pg. 5) 6. What kind of feelings do each of the family members share in their nightly ritual? Why do you think it is against the rules for Jonas to keep his feelings hidden? 7. What happens during the One s and Nine s ceremonies that is so important for the children? 8. Which rule is almost always broken? What rule does Father break without receiving a punishment? 9. Who is the Receiver? Why are the rules rarely changed? 10. How is an assignment made? Why is Jonas worried about Asher s assignment? 11. List the changes, both good and bad, that Mother warns Jonas about after he begins his assignment. 12. Briefly describe Father s and Mother s jobs. What evidence suggests this is a happy family? The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters What insensitive comment does Lily make trying to tease Jonas? Why is her comment considered insensitive? 2. Why does Mother discourage Lily from wanting an Assignment as a Birthmother? 3. What indications are there that there is sibling rivalry (competition between siblings) in this Community? 4. What does the following passage suggest to the reader about the world in which Jonas lives? but it was the same apple. Unchanged. The same size and shape: a perfect sphere. The same nondescript shade, about the same shade as his own tunic. (Pg. 24) 5. Why does Jonas break a rule and take the apple home? 6. Why are the hours the children spend volunteering so important? (What do these choices impact?) 7. What are the rules concerning nudity? 8. Briefly describe the process of Release for the Old. 9. Based on what has been revealed about this Community, support or refute the following statement: It is unbelievable that anyone could live into old age without knowing how a person is released. 10. In what ways do you approve or disapprove of the way this Community deals with their older citizens? 11. Define First Stirrings. Why do you suppose they require treatment in this Community? 12. Find a comment in this book that supports the idea that this Community discourages individuality. 13. Why does Jonas try to grasp back the feeling from his dream? Why is he not successful?

2 The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters Why do Fours, Fives, and Sixes all wear jackets that fasten down the back? 2. Briefly explain Gabe s special reprieve. What pledge must all of Jonas family sign? 3. What is the difference between a Loss and a Release? 4. List two ceremonies that the Community performs together. 5. Briefly describe how people of the Community get their spouses. 6. Do you agree or disagree with the Community s methods for selecting spouses and receiving children? Cite incidents from the story to support your answer. 7. Why are there two eleven-nineteens the morning of the Ceremony of Twelve? 8. Support or refute the following statement: The assignments given the Twelves are well suited to each child s abilities and are an excellent way of selecting adult vocations. 9. While the story of Asher at Three is amusing for the audience, in what sense can this story also be considered cruel? 10. What do you think is the significance of the stock phrase given at the end of each assignment: Thank you for your childhood? How does the Chief Elder keep this statement from becoming a cliché? 11. How does Jonas feel when the Chief Elder skips his number? The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters Why is the Committee of Elders particularly careful when selecting a Receiver of Memory? 2. List the qualities the Receiver of Memory must possess. Which one of these qualities makes Jonas feel fear? 3. Why does the Community chant Jonas name at the end of the ceremony? 4. Based on what has been revealed about Jonas so far in the story, what do you think will be the most difficult part of the training for him? 5. Why do his parents think Jonas has been greatly honored? Why do you think some of his friends and his sister seem to be treating him differently? 6. What is ominous about the following passage? Her, not his. It was a female. But we are never to speak the name, or to use it again for a newchild. (Pg. 67) 7. Briefly describe Jonas reaction to numbers 6, 7, and 8 of his instruction sheet. 8. Why does Jonas not ask his father and mother if they lie?

3 The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters In what ways does the Receiver of Memory s dwelling differ from Jonas home? 2. Which one of the privileges listed in Jonas instructions does Jonas use the most? 3. What is revealed in this chapter about privacy, the weather, and the physical landscape of the Community? 4. Briefly explain the job of Receiver of Memory. 5. How does this chapter help the reader understand the title of the novel? 6. Why does the Giver believe Jonas is a good Receiver? 7. Define Sameness and Climate Control. 8. What do you think the Giver is telling Jonas in the following passage? Honor, he said firmly. I have great honor. So will you. But you will find that that is not the same as power. (Pg. 84) 9. Before Jonas leaves he thanks the Giver for his first day. When Jonas leaves, why is the Giver drained, and a little sad? The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapter How is Jonas dream about the sled ride an example of foreshadowing? 2. Why is it easy for Jonas to be still and to listen when the other Twelves talk about their assignments? 3. What new information about Sameness is revealed when Jonas learns about the color red? 4. Why does the Giver believe Jonas will gain wisdom faster than he did initially? 5. For what reasons do you think the Giver does not answer Jonas question about the way the Giver first began to see beyond? 6. Why does Jonas think a colorless Community is not fair? Why is it safer if there are no choices? 7. What makes Jonas angry when he is with his group mates? 8. Speculate on why there are no longer any elephants or other animals in the Community. 9. List two reasons that married life may be difficult for Jonas as the new Receiver of Memory. 10. What happened to the memories when the new Receiver of Memory failed ten years earlier? 11. How does the Giver shock Jonas when they are talking about the Community s scientists? 12. Why do you suppose Jonas is beginning to look beyond the Community to Elsewhere? 13. Describe how Jonas feels the night after receiving the memory of the broken leg. 14. List the two times the Committee has asked the Giver for advice. What is revealed about the past when the Giver tells Jonas about these instances? 15. Why does the stock phrase back and back and back seem ominous to Jonas?

4 The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters What is the memory the Giver gives to Jonas in this chapter? 2. What wisdom do you think the Giver may have learned from the painful memory he gives Jonas in this chapter? 3. What does Jonas understand after receiving the following memories? A birthday party - A horse ride - A walk through the woods 4. Support or refute the following statement by citing incidents from the story: The Giver s favorite memory is also going to be Jonas favorite memory. 5. When does Jonas lie to his parents? 6. For what reasons do you think Jonas decides to stop taking his pill? 7. Why does Jonas come to the conclusion once again that he could change nothing? 8. Briefly describe the procedure Father tells Jonas he will follow to release the twin boy. The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters What do you think the author is saying about the differences in the kinds of pain humans can experience? Based on Rosemary s story, which pain is the most difficult to endure? 2. What do you think the Giver is considering in the following excerpt from the story? If you floated off in the river, I suppose I could help the whole Community the way I ve helped you. It s an interesting concept. I need to think about it some more. Maybe we ll talk about it again sometime. But not now. (Pg. 145) 3. How does Jonas feel when the Giver tells him that he can watch the release of the newchild? 4. In what ways is the actual release different from the way it has been described by Jonas father? 5. What is the memory that helps Jonas understand that his father has killed the twin?

5 The Giver Chapter Focus Questions Chapters How does the Giver see beyond before becoming the Receiver of Memory? 2. Briefly describe Jonas plan for leaving the Community. 3. What does the Giver mean when he says he wants to be with his daughter after his work is done? 4. Who is Jonas best friend at the end of the story? How does he say good-bye to him? 5. Why does Jonas steal his father s bicycle? 6. What frightens Jonas about the search planes? How does he try to hide from them? 7. Briefly describe the simple moments of exquisite happiness Jonas begins to experience as he gets further away from the Community. 8. Support or refute the following statement by citing incidents from the story: Despite the hardships, Jonas knows he has made the correct choice when he leaves the Community. 9. How does Jonas use memories to help him with his struggle up the cold hill? What do you think the author is trying to say about the importance of good memories in helping us achieve our goals? 10. What do you think is the source of the special knowledge deep inside of Jonas that tells him they are near the final destination, the place that he had always felt was waiting? 11. How does the last paragraph in the book give the reader hope for the Community Jonas leaves behind? 12. Define a coming-of-age story. In what ways does this story fit that definition? 13. Compare the definitions for science fiction and fantasy novels. What element of each is present in this work? The Giver Questions for Discussion and Essay 1. What evidence shows Jonas does not fully understand what happens when an old person is released? 2. How does the Community control sexuality? What are their rules concerning nudity? 3. Which of the rules are almost always broken without any punishments? What is the worst punishment possible for breaking a rule? 4. On the surface, the Nurturers seem to be bending over backwards to help Gabe. What is fundamentally wrong, by our standards, with the way the Community evaluates newchildren? 5. Many cultures have a ceremony to mark the end of childhood, making the adolescent years less chaotic and confusing than they are in our society. Do you agree or disagree with the concept of trained adults helping the young people select their careers? Are the volunteer hours a good idea? 6. In what ways might the release of the old benefit the Community? What are the dangers of this policy? 7. How does the author let the reader know that the climate of the Community is artificially controlled? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this idea? 8. Comment on the following stock phrases from the story. In what ways can they quickly become clichés?

6 Thank you for your childhood. I apologize for We accept your apology. I m glad you told us of your feelings. 9. Distinguish between third-person omniscient, limited omniscient, and objective views. Which one is used for this story? Why do you think the author selected it? 10. In what ways is the dwelling of the Giver different from all of the others in the Community? What do you think surprises Jonas the most about the Giver s rooms? 11. Why does Jonas call the Receiver of Memory the Giver? What happened to the last replacement for the Receiver? 12. What does Jonas learn from receiving the following memories? the sled ride the family scene by the Christmas tree the Civil War battlefield the elephant hunt the beach a birthday party a walk in the woods a horse ride 13. Define the concept of Sameness. Why do you think the Community decided many generations ago that Sameness is the best way to live? What did they have to give up to live this way? 14. List the ways Jonas family life is comfortable and safe. What is missing? 15. How is the following passage an example of foreshadowing? Find another example of foreshadowing in this book. Always, in the dream, it seemed as if there were a destination: a something - he could not grasp what that lay beyond the place where the thickness of snow brought the sled to a stop. (Pg. 88) 16. Define the Capacity to See Beyond. How can this capacity be considered a mixed blessing for Jonas? 17. Which incident in the story best marks the anagnorisis, the point where Jonas finally understands the truth and his innocence is shattered forever? 18. Cite incidents from the book to support or refute the following statement: This is a loss of innocence, coming-of-age book. 19. What lies do we as a society tell our children? Are they necessary? How is the rule not to lie an example of irony in this story? 20. This novel is clearly a fantasy because people have powers that humans in the real world do not possess. How can it also be considered a science fiction novel? 21. Which of the following statements, in your opinion, best describes the overall message of the book? If your answer is neither, state the overall theme as you see it. Support your answer with incidents from the story. The power of the individual to make choices is necessary to human happiness despite the pain of wrong choices. It is necessary to understand the past to avoid mistakes, move forward, and gain wisdom. 22. Why do you think there are no animals in the Community?

7 23. What evidence is there that the Giver s plan to return some of the memories to the Community is successful? How do you think he plans to return the remaining memories, the ones he did not give to Jonas? 24. Why does Jonas think it is wrong for Asher and Fiona to be content with their safe, easy lives? 25. Briefly describe the appeals process if a member of the Community does not like his or her assignment. 26. What is the significance of Jonas pale eyes? Why is he successful in passing memories to Gabe, but not to Asher or Lily? 27. If Father knows he is going to kill the twin, why does he not feel remorse? How can he just wave bye-bye; and even more importantly, how can he vote for Gabe s release? 28. Why does the Giver never try to change things before Jonas becomes his replacement? What is the turning point for the Giver, the point where he decides to try to make some changes?