CHAPTERS 1 & 2 STUDY GUIDE

The Giver

Quick-Write – Journal ResponseWhat efforts has this community taken to control their citizens and define the role of a utopian society?

Class Responses: NO personal feelings Label strong emotions Controlling their language Threatened through fear Forced empathy Lack of individuality Controlling their emotions and thoughts (stirrings)

through a pill Ceremony of the Twelve – receive their “assignment”

(career) – the Elders decide by watching the children, identifying their interests and their abilities.

Strict/tight hold on the age groups – certain things are taken away and given to the children at particular ages

1. What did the word “frightened” mean, according to Jonas?

According to Jonas, the word “frightened” means that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to happen.

2. What were Jonas and the other children taught to be careful about?

Jonas and the other children were taught to be careful with the use of their language and vocabulary.

3. How did Jonas decide he felt? What was causing this feeling?

Jonas decided he felt “apprehensive”. He was apprehensive because the Ceremony of Twelve was approaching. During the Ceremony of Twelve, he would receive his assignment.

4. What evening ritual did the family perform after dinner?

After dinner the family was required to share their feelings about the day.

5. What were the two occasions when release was NOT punishment?

Undeveloped, smaller newchildren were released.

Elders were released and it was a time of celebration for a life fully lived.

6. What did Father want to do about the newchild, and why?

Father wanted to bring the newchild home at night because the night crew did not nurture the newchildren as well as the day crew. He also found out his name, Gabriel, so that he could nurture him more by calling him by name.

7. What fascinated Jonas about his father?

Father broke a rule to find out the newchild’s name. Him breaking the rule fascinated Jonas.

8. Why was the Ceremony of Twelve so important?

The Ceremony of Twelve was so important because they would receive their assignments. These assignments would carry them through the rest of their lives.