The Giver
By Lois Lowry
Study Guide
Chapter 1
1. What is Dystopian literature?
http://libraryschool.libguidescms.com/yadystopianlit
2. Explain the relevance of Bicycles in this world including their use, rules, and
meaning. Please return to this question and add to your answer as the bike turns
up throughout the entire novel. How does this compare with our society?
3. P. 2- Regarding the pilot, “NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WILL BE RELEASED.”
Why is the pilot “released”? What does this mean?
4. Define the following: Connotation and Denotation. Define frightened, eager, and
apprehensive in your own words. How are they alike/different?
5. Think about apologies. When do we use them? What is their purpose? This
society uses apology by rote. Do we? When and where might this happen? Are
they then meaningless or meaningful? Explain.
6. Why do you suppose that these people don’t know animals? There could be many
reasons. Give several.
7. Why do you suppose that Jonas and his family routinely discuss their feelings
every evening? What are your thoughts about this?
8. What do Jonas’ parents do for a living? What do you suppose this demonstrates
about their personalities? How would you characterize them? Does this tell you
anything about their society?
Chapter 2
9. What makes December such a significant month? Explain what happens then.
10. Who is Gabe? How does Gabe show us more about the other characters in the
novel?
11. What are comfort objects? What rules pertain to them? What is Lily’s comfort
object. Getting back to connotation and denotation, what does calling this a
“comfort object” show about this society?
Chapter 3
12. Jonas and Gabe share an unusual physical trait. What is it? Why do you suppose
that the author selected this in particular? What might this symbolize?
13. Why do you suppose that mirrors are unnecessary in this world? What is the
author’s purpose in adding this seemingly minor detail.
14. When Lily expresses an interest in becoming a birth mother for her Assignment,
her mother scolds her and tells her that there is no honor in it. Yet, birth mothers
“receive wonderful food, have very gentle exercise periods, and most of the time
they just play games and amuse themselves.” If they don’t receive these things in
veneration, why might society reward them then?
Chapter 4
15. Why are children volunteering at the “House of the Old”?
16. How do you feel that the old are treated in this society? Do they receive more or
less respect than our own do? Support your answer with examples.
17. How does the “release” of Roberto compare with the release of the pilot, for
example?
18. On p. 32 Jonas asks about the release. What answer does he receive? What does
this tell you about their society?
Chapter 5
19. What is the “morning ritual”? At what age does it begin? Why do you think this
ritual takes place?
20. After Jonas shares his dream with his family, his mother retains him for a private
conversation. What is the main point of their conversation?
Chapter 6
21. What does Jonas’ father do on behalf of Gabe? What does it tell you about this
character?
22. Explain a “Ceremony of Loss.”
23. Explain a “Murmur of Replacement Ceremony”.
24. What thoughts do you have regarding 22 and 23 above? What new information
might these two ceremonies give you about this society and how strongly they
feel about their members?
25. What is the “Matching of Spouses”? Going back to your notes on Dystopian
literature, why is this an important element?
Chapter 7
26. How does this society view women? Use examples from the text to support your
answer.
27. Look at pages 54 thru 56 where Asher receives his assignment. Why do you
suppose the author devotes so much time to this character? How does this reflect
on the society?
28. The Chief Elder skips Jonas. Make a prediction as to why you think this happens.
Chapter 8
29. Refer back to your definitions of connotation and denotation. What is the
difference between being assigned and selected?
30. What do you imagine the Receiver of Memory must do exactly? According to the
Chief Elder, what qualities must he/she possess? Why?
Chapter 9
31. What new rules must the Receiver of Memory follow? Explain why you think he
may have these particular rules. Include as many details as possible to support
your reasons.
Chapter 10
32. “[The] most conspicuous difference was the books.” Why would exposure to
books be novel? Why wouldn’t his own family have had books?
33. What do the speakers represent? Why does it matter that “The Receiver” may
shut his off?
Chapter 11
34. “Why don’t [they] have snow, and sleds, and hills?… And, when did [they] in the
past?”
35. Define “sameness.” How is it used in the novel?
36. What does “The Giver” mean when he says that he has honor but not power?
Explain.
37. Why do you suppose that “The Giver” selected a sunburn as Jonas’ first exposure
to pain?
Chapter 12
38. In what way does Jonas “see beyond”? What possible reason could the society
have for including this change in their “sameness” policy?
Chapter 13
39. Do you believe Jonas when he says, “We have to protect people from wrong
choices”? Why or why not?
40. Why do you suppose that Jonas cannot transmit to Asher the ability to see red in
the petals? Why does he even try? What does this show about each boys
character?
41. The memory of the elephant that The Giver transmits to Jonas beginning on p.
100 shows him many things. Which do you believe are most important and why?
42. Take what The Giver shares with Jonas about his own adult life. What sort of life
can Jonas expect for himself?
43. Why do the people of this society need The Receiver of Memories?
44. The Giver explains to Jonas that the instructors are well trained in their facts, but
he also says that they know nothing. How can this be? What does he mean?
Chapter 14
45. Why do you think the pain of the sled crash stayed with him while the sunburn
faded immediately? Why can’t he have pain relief?
46. Explain why wisdom comes from the memories and how that is important. Give
at least one concrete example from the text to support this.
47. When Jonas tries to pass memories to Asher and his family, he fails. Then he
passes a memory to Gabe unintentionally. Why can he pass memories to Gabe
but not to the others?
Chapter 15
48. What memory does Jonas receive in this chapter? What effect does it have on
each of them?
Chapter 16
49. Look at the memory of the horse on p. 122. Since this is such a positive memory,
why might society have eliminated animals? There could be many reasons.
50. Explain The Giver’s favorite memory and Jonas’ revelation because of it. They
both state that society’s treatment of the old “works,” but do you think that they
totally agree with it?
51. On p. 126, Jonas states,“[He] can see that it was a dangerous way to live.” What
does he perceive as dangerous? Do you think he has been completely
forthcoming with The Giver? Why or why not?
52. “Do you understand why it’s inappropriate to use a word like ‘love’?” Mother
asked. Why does she feel this way? Does Jonas agree with her?
53. Why do you think Jonas stops taking his pill?
Chapter 17
54. Jonas becomes upset when his friends play a game on the holiday. Why?
55. Jonas’ father talks again about selecting a twin for his release and performing a
ceremony. What details does he offer?
Chapter 18
56. Rosemary typically symbolizes remembrance, friendship, love, and fidelity. Why
might the author have chosen this name for the former Receiver in training?
57. What happened to Rosemary?
58. How did losing Rosemary affect the community?
Chapter 19
59. Why do you suppose that Jonas is so curious about releases?
60. Why does The Giver want Jonas to watch the release of the twin?
61. What does Jonas learn about the process of release? What does he learn about his
father?
62. Look back over your answer to number 8. How did you characterize Jonas’
father? Do you still see him the same way? Why or why not?
63. What is Euthanasia? Does it exist in our world? If so, where?
Chapter 20
64. Jonas asks The Giver to leave with him, but he refuses. Why? What does this
demonstrate about his character?
65. Explain the plan.
66. Where does The Giver want to go when he has finished helping the community?
Chapter 21
67. What forces Jonas to forgo his plan and leave sooner? Give details.
68. What rules has he broken?
69. How does the community attempt to find him/them? How do Jonas and Gabe
elude them?
70. If caught, what do you think would happen?
Chapter 22
71. What changes have they encountered in their new surroundings? What might this
changes show about the power of their society?
72. Because Jonas chose to leave, he and Gabe are starving. Did he make the right
decision? Why or why not? If he knew ahead of time that they would suffer from
starvation, do you think that he still would have chosen to leave?
73. Reread the last paragraph of chapter 22. How has Jonas changed?
Chapter 23
74. Explain what you think happened at the end of the story. If the book had
continued, what would have happened next?
75. What do you believe happened to The Giver and the rest of the community?