Name ________________________ The Giver Reader Response Journal
Essential Questions for this novel study:
1. Why do some governments oppress individuals and individuality?
2. In what ways do governments oppress individuals and individuality?
3. What are different ways that individuals react to government oppression?
Literary terms and concepts in this novel that you will explore
through your reader-response journal:
Utopia: a perfect society. Although many groups of people have tried to create
utopias, they hardly ever work well for long. (The Puritans tried to create a
utopia here in America, but look what happened to them!)
Dystopia: a society that tried to become a utopia but whose government became
too restrictive, taking away individual rights and civil liberties. (Example: the
society in The Uglies is a dystopia because it takes away individuality and rights
and forces everyone to be pretty and perfect.)
Euphemism: a word that covers up the true meaning or harsh reality of the
concept. (Examples: “passed on” is a euphemism for died. “Repeating a grade” is
a euphemism for flunked.) There are many euphemisms used in the Community
in this book. Ask yourself why they are used and what realities are being covered
up and why.
Flashback: when the setting “flashes” back to an earlier setting to reveal something important about the
past in order to help you understand the present. The main character, Jonas, flashes back in his memory
several times, helping the readers to understand new ideas about his Community.
Foreshadowing: little hints in the text that help the reader predict something important that will occur
later in the story.
Symbolism: physical objects or things that represent big ideas about life. Example: the stars
of the American flag symbolize the 50 equal but individual states. Colors can be symbolic too.
The color red symbolizes passion which is why it can be the color of passionate love (red
rose) or passionate hatred (bloodshed and war). Green often symbolizes nature, growth, and
renewal, as seen by grass and spring leaves. Other objects in nature have ancient symbolic
values, going back thousands of years, including mountains and trees. We will study some of
these symbols in class to enrich your reading experience.
Important symbols in The Giver include:
*Apple ________________________________________________________________________________
*River _________________________________________________________________________________
*Eye __________________________________________________________________________________
*Forest ________________________________________________________________________________
*rain __________________________________________________________________________________
*snowflake ____________________________________________________________________________
*sun __________________________________________________________________________________
*mountain or hill ________________________________________________________________________
*road _________________________________________________________________________________
*bird ________________________________________________________________________________
*the biblical name Jonas (Jonah) __________________________________________________________
*the biblical name Gabriel (the angel Gabriel) ________________________________________________
situational irony: a contradiction; when something is the opposite from the way it appears to be.
(Example: a Weight watchers sign above an ice cream store.)
dramatic irony: when the readers know something that the characters don’t. Example: (When Anne Frank
writes in her diary that she can’t wait to ride a bike once she’s free, the readers/audience knows that she
will never do this because she dies.)
Important Themes Related to The Giver
•
•
•
•
•
The Individual Vs. Society
Freedom and Choice
Feelings and Emotions
Coming of Age (Bildungsroman)
Memory
Scoring:
Category
4
3
2
1
RL.8.4 Vocabulary
I can determine the
meaning of words and
phrases as they are
used in the text.
Proficient +
sophisticated
understanding of how
the vocab affects the
understanding of the
story.
Correct definition in
the correct context.
May not show a
complete
understanding of the
word & its meaning in
context.
Lacks understanding of
the word and its
meaning in context.
RL.8.2 I can make an
inference while
reading
RL.8.2 I can analyze
how dialogue or
incidents in a story
propel the action,
reveal aspects of a
character, or
provoke a decision.
Proficient +
sophisticated
understanding
Proficient +
sophisticated
understanding of the
characters and story
Shows an
understanding of an
UNSTATED idea
Clearly shows how
ideas are related.
Inference may not
be developed
enough
Analysis is not clear
or developed
enough.
Inference is unclear
or undeveloped
RL.8.2 I can
analyze theme and
literary devices
Proficient +
unexpected and
mature ideas not
discussed in class
Analysis is clear
and focused.
Analysis needs
more clarity or
focus
Analysis is
inaccurate or
unfocused
Analysis is unclear or
undeveloped.
Total ______________/16
Chapter 1, p. 1-10
Plot Events : Based on these bolded phrases, write the details of that scene and why it’s important. You are proving
that you know the plot but you are also showing your ability to analyze the importance of the scene.
1.
Riding bike: Jonas is riding his bike along the river, feeling frightened (apprehensive) of
something that will be happening in Dec. In our society, most kids would be feeling excited about
Christmas coming, but Jonas feels frightened instead.
2.
Feeling frightened: Jonas remembers that he felt really frightened a year ago when a jet flew
over the community twice, but “frightened” is not really how he’s feeling now, with the
ceremony of 12 coming soon. It’s weird that a plane would make anyone feel frightened!
3.
Sharing feelings: Jonas goes home, has dinner with family; they share their feelings. Mother,
(Dept. Of Justice) worries about a citizen who broke the rules 3 times; Father (Nurturer) worries
about newchild who is not developing properly; Lily was angry at a visiting kid who butted in line.
Weird how they HAVE to share feelings! I would have hated this as a kid!
Vocabulary (Include the sentence with the word and the correct definition for the context.
1.
“distraught” p. 4 “I guess I got distraught, watching them.” Distraught means upset. Jonas is remembering
his friend Asher using the word ‘distraught’ incorrectly at school. (Asher should have used the word
‘distracted’ instead.)
2.
“apprehensive” p. 4 “Apprehensive. That’s what I am.” Apprehensive means cautious and nervous about
something about to occur. Jonas feels cautious about something that will be happening in December.
3.
“ritual,” p. 4 “It was one of the rituals, the evening telling of feelings.” A ritual is something that is done
regularly, the same way, either daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Jonas’s family had to regularly tell their
feelings to each other each day after dinner as an after-dinner ceremony or habit.
Literary technique: Flashback.
Definition: when the setting “flashes back” to the past, to reveal something important that will connect to
the present.
On page 2, the author flashes back to a scene from the previous year, when Jonas’s entire community had
felt fearful when they saw an airplane flying overhead. Explain the importance of this flashback
and what is revealed about the Community through it.
(Notice how my response uses complete sentences and analyzes the importance of the scene):
This flashback shows that an airplane flying overhead is a phenomenon that causes great fear
in the community. Jonas realizes that the feeling he is currently having is not as strong as the
feeling of fear. This flashback also shows me that this community is different from our own;
they don’t have airplanes in the sky like we do. Also, the flashback reveals that everyone obeys
all commands since everyone is commanded to go inside AND THEY DO! You can tell that this is
not our own society because of this!
My Questions/ ideas (These can be things you wonder about, connections you can make, predictions,
etc). Please don’t just repeat the questions I asked you in the journal! They should reflect your own, fresh
thinking!
1. I would HATE having to share my feelings every day! I wonder what the purpose is?
2. What is the setting of this story? What is the name of the “Community”? It’s not clear.
Chapter 2, p. 11-19
Plot Events: Based on these phrases, write what happened in the chapter and analyze why it’s
important.
1. Ceremony of Ones: ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Ceremony of Nines: ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Ceremony of Twelve:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Observation and volunteer hours: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Changes after Twelve: _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
Nurturer (look up nurture), page 11. Sentence from chapter _____________________________________
_______________________________________Definition: ______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Adherence, page 12. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_______________________________________Definition: ______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Aptitude, page 15. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
____________________________________________Definition: ________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Appeal, page 17. Sentence from chapter _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________Definition: ______________________________________
Making an inference
“After Twelve, age isn’t important. Most of us even lose track of how old we are as time passes, though
the information is in the Hall of Open Records, and we could go and look it up if we wanted to,” (page
17).
Based on this quotation, make an inference about the Community’s VALUES and contrast this with our
own community’s VALUES. 3 sentences minimum. One of these sentences must be a complex sentence!
Highlight it.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions/ideas/connections I have so far about this story are:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3, p. 20-26
Plot Events:
The newchild’s eyes: _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Birthmother: ___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Mirrors: _______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Playing catch:___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary:
chastisement, page 20. Sentence from chapter _______________________________________________
_______________________________Definition ______________________________________________
hoarded, page 23. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
tunic, page 24. Sentence from chapter ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Making Inferences:
“Three years…Three births, and that’s all. After that they are Laborers for the rest of
their adult lives, until the day they enter the House of the Old,” (page 22).
Explain what is revealed about the Community from this quotation. What inferences can you make from
it? Three (3) sentences minimum. One of the sentences must be a compound sentence that uses a
semicolon. Highlight it.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary technique: Flashback.
Definition: when the setting “flashes back” to the past, to reveal something important that will connect
to the present. On page 23-24, the author flashes back to the previous month when Jonas experiences
something strange. Explain the strange event in the flashback.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explain why you think the event in this flashback is or will be important in the story.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4, p. 26-33
Plot Events:
1. Freedom to choose: ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Bragging and rudeness: ________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Larissa: _____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Release of Roberto: ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary:
regulated, page 26. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
anthem, page 32. Sentence from chapter ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 5, p. 34-39
1. Plot Events
1. Jonas’s dream: __________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Treatment: _____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2. Vocabulary Words in this chapter
disquieting, page 34. Sentence from chapter _________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
reluctantly, page 34. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Literary technique: Euphemism. Definition: A euphemism is a word that covers up the real
meaning. A euphemism is a politically correct term used to make something seem less harsh or less
embarrassing.
On page 37, Jonas’s mother talks about his first ‘Stirrings’. Explain what ‘stirrings’ is a euphemism for.
_________________________________________________. What do you think this euphemism reveals
about Jonas’s community? ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Evaluate: Because of the “stirrings” scene, The Giver has been banned (censured) in many public schools
in America. Why do you think so many communities do not want their children reading this scene?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6, p. 40-49
Plot Events
1. Gabe labeled Uncertain: ____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. First Caleb and replacement Caleb: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
3. Ceremony of Loss and Murmur-of-Replacement Ceremony: _______________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Ceremony of Nine:
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. Ceremony of Ten: _________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Matching of Spouses: ______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary Words in this chapter
emblem, page 41. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
reprieve, page 42. Sentence from chapter ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
relinquish, p. 42. Sentence from chapter _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
scrupulously, p. 49. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary technique: Euphemism.
On page 43, and later on page 48, the author uses the term ‘Elsewhere’. Explain why you think the
Community uses this euphemism.
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 7, p. 50-58
Plot Events
1. Eleven-Nineteen: _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Today we honor your differences”: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. Madeline’s assignment: ___________________ Inger’s assignment: ____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Asher’s assignment:______________________________________________________________________
4. Fiona’s assignment: ___________________________________________________________________
5. “She skipped me.” ____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary technique: Flashback. On page 55, the author flashes back to a setting years before when
Asher was a Three. What new information do we learn about the Community’s values through this
flashback? (Your values are what you view as important in life)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
tribute, page 52. Sentence from chapter ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
meticulously, page 34. Sentence from chapter ________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
prestige, page 53. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
avert, p. 57. Sentence from chapter _________________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 8, p. 59-64
Plot Events
1. “I accept your apology.”: _______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Jonas has not been assigned.” __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “He is to be alone, apart…” _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Courage.” __________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. “The Capacity to see Beyond” ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
6. “They changed.” ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
crescendo, page 59. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
benign, page 59. ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
indolence, p. 61. ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 9, p. 65-71
Plot Events
1. “It’s not a job, really. I never thought, never expected…” ______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “We never saw her again.” ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “You may ask question of any citizen and you will receive answers.” ____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Do not discuss your training…” _________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. “From this moment you are prohibited from dream-telling.” __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
6. “…do not apply for any medication.” ______________________________________________________
7. “You may lie.” ________________________________________________________________________
8. “Unless…” ___________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
solemnly, page 66. Sentence from chapter: __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
relish, page 68. Sentence from chapter ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition (not the food!) ____________________________
annex, p. 68. Sentence from chapter ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
requisitioned, p. 69. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Integral, p. 70. Sentence from chapter _______________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 10, p. 72-79
Plot Events
1. “He had never known that other books existed.” ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “This job has aged me.” ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “There is all that goes beyond—all that is Elsewhere—and all that goes back, and back, and back.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “I am going to transmit the memory of snow.” ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
conspicuous, page 74. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ____________________________________________
exhilarating, page 78. Sentence from chapter ____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ____________________________________________
apprehensively, page 79. Sentence from chapter _________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ____________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Chapter 11, p. 80-87
Plot Events
1. “And he could see, although his eyes were closed.” __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “That’s right. A little weight off this old body.” ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “But what happened to those things? Snow, and the rest of it?” ________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Ouch…” ____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
obsolete, page 84. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
unwieldy, page 84. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Literary technique: Foreshadowing
Definition: little hints that help a careful reader predict what will happen in the future.
“Honor. ..I have great honor. So will you. But you will find that is not the same as
power,” p. 84
Explain what this quotation might foreshadow later in the story and why you think this.
(3 sentences minimum) One of your sentences must be a complex sentence. Highlight it.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 12, p. 88-96
Plot Events
1. “There was no way to describe to his friends what he had experienced in the Annex room.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “…did you know that they use a discipline wand on the old, the same as for small children?”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “It had happened again: the thing that he thought of now as ‘seeing beyond.’ “
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Hair like Fiona’s must drive them crazy.” __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
significant, page 88. Sentence from chapter:__________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
phenomenon, page 91. Sentence from chapter _______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Capacity, page 95. Sentence from chapter:____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Relinquished, p. 95. Sentence from chapter __________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _________________________________________
Literary technique: Foreshadowing
Definition: little hints that help a careful reader predict what will happen in the future.
“You’ve come very quickly to that conclusion.” Explain the conclusion that Jonas comes to and describe
his feelings about this conclusion.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explain how this conclusion helps foreshadow something that Jonas may do in the future?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary technique: symbolism
Symbolism: when something physical represents an idea or concept
Explain the importance of the rainbow (at the end of the chapter) as a symbol in this book.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 13, p. 97-107
Plot Events
1. “It isn’t fair…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Very frightening. I can’t even imagine it. We really have to protect people…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “…then it reached up, broke some leafy branches with a snap, and draped them over the mass of torn,
thick flesh.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “I apologize for hurting you, Lily.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. “ ‘They know nothing,’ The Giver said bitterly.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary Words in this chapter
mutilated, page 100. Sentence from chapter ________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
skeptically, page 101. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
successor, p. 104. Sentence from chapter ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
assimilated, page 104. Sentence from chapter:______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
Literary technique: Foreshadowing
Definition: little hints that help a careful reader predict what will happen in the future.
Explain what the following quotation may foreshadow later in the story and why you
think this.
“He wondered what lay in the far distance where he had never gone. The land didn’t end beyond those
nearby communities. Where there hills Elsewhere?”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 15, p. 118-220
Plot Events
1. “The Giver looked away, as if he could not bear to see what he had done to Jonas. ‘Forgive me,’ he
said.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary Words in this chapter
contorted, page 118. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
carnage, page 119. Sentence from chapter:__________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
Author’s Purpose:
The author chose to create this very short chapter instead of adding this scene to others. Explain the
effects of setting this scene off by itself. What important ideas about the story does this emphasize?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 16, p. 121-129
Plot Events
1. “…he perceived the bond between animals and humans.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Jonas felt the joy of it as soon as it began.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “It was a word and concept new to him.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “It was his first lie to his parents.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
luxuriating, page 123. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
obsolete, page 127. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
The Giver shares with Jonas the memories of birthday parties, art museums, and walking through the
woods. Explain the importance of these three experiences and why each would be forbidden in Jonas’s
Community. (Four sentences minimum). Use a complex sentence and highlight it.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
“The next morning, for the first time, Jonas did not take his pill. Something within him, something that
had grown there through the memories, told him to throw the pill away.” Explain why you think Jonas’s
action is significant. (Three sentences minimum.) Use a compound sentence using a semicolon and
highlight it.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 17, p. 130-138
Plot Events
1. “ ‘Don’t play it anymore,’ Jonas pleaded.” __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “The twins are being born tomorrow, and the test results show that they’re identical.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
permeated, page 131. Sentence from chapter:_______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
postures, page 133. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
warily, page 134. Sentence from chapter:____________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
“…Now he saw the familiar, wide river beside the path differently. He saw all of the color and
light and history it contained and carried in its slow-moving water; and he knew that there
was an Elsewhere from which it came, and an Elsewhere to which it was going, (page 131).
Based on this quotation, how does Jonas view the river differently from the way he used to view it before
he gained the memories? Also, explain why you think this quotation may be foreshadowing or symbolic in
the story. (4 sentence minimum) Use a compound sentence with a semicolon and highlight the sentence.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
Chapter 18, p. 139-145
Plot Events
1. “Her name was Rosemary.” _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “I’m glad you’re a good swimmer, Jonas. But stay away from the river.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
dejected, page 139. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
Self-possessed, page 140. Sentence from chapter:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
ruefully, page 141. Sentence from chapter:__________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
imploringly, page 142. Sentence from chapter:______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 19, p. 146-151
Plot Events
1. “He was astonished and delighted that this was available to him, and surprised that he had not
known,” page 147.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Now he cleans him up and makes him comfy,” Jonas told him. “He told me.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “With an odd, shocked feeling, Jonas recognized the gestures and posture and expression.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Bye-bye, little guy…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
access, page 147. Sentence from chapter:___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
receptacle, page 150. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
Literary Term: Irony
“His father was such a gentle man,” (page 146). After reading the chapter, explain the irony of Jonas’s
statement.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Explain how this irony applies to the entire Community.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 20, p. 152-162
Plot Events
1. “Listen to me, Jonas. They can’t help it. They know nothing.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “‘Now for the first time I think there might be a way.’ Jonas watched him, and listened.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “NO, Giver, I want you to keep that, to have with you when…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Her name was Rosemary.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
successor, page 153. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
emphatically, page 157. Sentence from chapter:______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
apparent, page 160. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
solace, page 161. Sentence from chapter:___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 21, p. 163-170
Plot Events
1. “But that evening everything changed. All of it…fell apart.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “He thought of the rules he had broken so far…First: _________________________________________
___________________Second: ____________________________________________________________
Third: ________________________________________________________________________________
And: _________________________________________________________________________________
3. “So always, when he heard the aircraft sound, he…transmitted memories of snow…“
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
transgression, page 165. Sentence from chapter:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
languid, page 166. Sentence from chapter:__________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
foliage, page 169. Sentence from chapter:___________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ________________________________________
vigilant, page 170. Sentence from chapter:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
haphazard, page 170. Sentence from chapter:_____________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 22, p. 171-174
Plot Events
1. “All of it was new to him. After a life of Sameness and predictability, he was awed by the surprises that
lay beyond each curve of the road.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Jonas remembered, suddenly and grimly, the time in his childhood when he had been chastised for
misusing a word. The word had been…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary Term: Symbolism
“The road was narrower, and bumpy, apparently no longer tended by road crews. It
was harder, suddenly, to balance on the bike, as the front wheel wobbled over stones
and ruts, (page 171).”
How can a road symbolize life? ___________________________________________________________
Explain how the author is using the physical setting of the road to describe Jonas’s conflict.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
“Trees became more numerous, and the forests beside the road were dark and thick
with mystery, (page 171).”
Based on what we have learned in class, a Forest can symbolize __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Using what we have learned in class about the ancient symbolism of the Forest, explain how the author
is using the setting of the Forest in The Giver to describe Jonas’s conflict.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
Tentatively, page 171. Sentence from chapter:_______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
Exquisite, page 172. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
Cultivated, page 172. Sentence from chapter:______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
Meager, page 173. Sentence from chapter:________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
makeshift, page 173. Sentence from chapter:______________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition ______________________________________
Based on this chapter, questions, ideas, connections I have so far about this story are:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Chapter 23, p. 175-180
Plot Events
1. “Yet he felt it.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
2. “The top of the hill seemed so far away, and he did not know what lay beyond.”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
3. “He forced his eyes open as they went downward, downward, sliding, and all at once he could see
lights…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. “Behind him, across vast distances of space and time….he thought he heard music too…”
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Literary Term: Symbolism
“As Jonas watched, a snowflake drifted down and was caught briefly for a moment’s
sparkle in the tiny fluttering eyelashes,” page 176).
What does a single snowflake symbolize? __________________________________________________
Explain how the author uses this symbolism to show the importance of Jonas’s and Gabriel’s
relationship in this scene.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
The setting of the snow-covered hill is the most important feature in this final chapter.
What does a hill or a mountain symbolize? ___________________________________________________
Using your knowledge of this symbolism, explain how the author uses the hill in this
chapter to give Jonas’s experience meaning and power.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think is important about the ending? What do you think happens at the end?
(Note: you weren’t asked if you liked the ending or not, although you may certainly express your
opinion too!)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary
impeded, page 177. Sentence from chapter:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
How it’s used in the chapter: _____________________________________________________________
summit, page 178. Sentence from chapter:__________________________________________________
_____________________________________Definition _______________________________________
How it’s used in the chapter: _____________________________________________________________
Final thoughts, questions, or ideas:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Theme
The Individual Vs.
Society
Freedom and Choice
Feelings and Emotions
Coming of Age
Memory
Example/Quote #1
Example/Quote #2
Example/Quote #3