Giver Flashcards
Test Friday, February 28, 2025
Why is Jonas apprehensive about the ceremony of 12?
He doesn’t fully understand its implications. Jonas feels apprehensive because he is unsure of what his assignment will be and is anxious about the future. The Ceremony of Twelve marks a significant turning point in his life where he will be given his life-long career, and this unknown causes him great unease.
How does Jonas’ feelings evolve during the ceremony of 12?
Jonas feels comfortable and uncertain during the Ceremony of Twelve. Initially, he feels confusion and fear, but his emotions evolve into relief and honor when he is given a special role in their society
How does Jonas react when he is skipped at the ceremony?
Jonas feels a mix of shock, confusion, and embarrassment when he is skipped. He wonders if he has done something wrong or if he has been overlooked, which leaves him feeling isolated and anxious in front of the entire community.
How does Lowry convey the reactions of Jonas at the ceremony of 12?
Jonas’s reactions to the ceremony of 12 are conveyed through his distress at the children’s war game and his understanding of the true nature of war from the Giver’s memories
Explain the tension that builds during Jonas’ selection
The Uncertainty: Throughout the ceremony, Jonas is unsure about what will happen to him. The Delay: When it’s Jonas’ turn, the Chief Elder skips over him, creating a suspenseful moment. This delay is unusual and leaves Jonas feeling exposed and confused. The Revelation: When Jonas is finally called, the Chief Elder explains that Jonas has been selected for the highly prestigious and rare role of Receiver of Memory. The Uniqueness of the Role: Being chosen as the Receiver makes Jonas different from everyone else. The tension here comes from the fact that he will be trained by the current Receiver. The Pressure: After the selection, Jonas feels both pride and fear.
Simile
A comparison using like or as
Metaphor
A direct comparision
Personification
Giving human qualities to non human things
Alliteration
The repetition of consonant sounds
Why is Jonas so frustrated about sameness and asking so many questions?
Awareness of Lack of Choice: He learns about emotions, love, pain, and the full range of human experiences. Realization of Emotional Depth: The more Jonas experiences through the memories, the more he realizes that the community’s strict adherence to sameness has stripped people of the richness of human experience. The Question of Individuality: Sameness is also tied to the suppression of individuality. The Struggle with Control: Jonas also begins to see how the society uses sameness to maintain strict control over its people. Fear of Loss: Jonas’ growing frustration stems from his fear of losing the memories and experiences that are beginning to shape him as an individual.
How does Jonas change after receiving the memories?
Awareness of Emotions: After receiving the memories, Jonas begins to experience the full spectrum of human emotions, from deep joy to intense pain. The memories show him what real love, happiness, and grief are, and he starts to realize how his community’s emphasis on sameness has eliminated these rich emotional experiences. Understanding the Importance of Choice: Through the memories, Jonas learns about the significance of choice in life. Loss of Innocence; Rejection of Sameness: As Jonas receives more memories, he becomes increasingly disturbed by the sameness of his community. Conflict with Authority: As Jonas’ understanding deepens, he begins to feel more isolated from the people around him, including his family and friends. Desire for Change: The most significant change in Jonas is his growing desire to bring about change. He can no longer accept the world he once thought was ideal, and he begins to yearn for a society where people are free to make their own choices, feel emotions fully, and experience life in all its complexity. Understanding the Value of Memory
How does Jonas react to receiving the truth about release?
Initial Confusion; Shock and Disbelief: The turning point comes when Jonas discovers that release is not a peaceful death for the elderly or for babies who don’t meet the community’s standards. Feeling Betrayed: As Jonas continues to process the revelation, he feels a deep sense of betrayal. Moral Outrage: Jonas is also morally outraged by the truth of release. Desperation and Determination: After learning the truth, Jonas feels a mix of fear, anger, and desperation.
What is Jonas’ fathers’ role in release?
He performs it; he has been lying to Jonas this whole time
Why does the giver say,” Memories need to be shared”?
The Giver believes that “memories need to be shared” because they hold essential lessons, emotional depth, and connections that are necessary for people to understand and appreciate life fully. Without the sharing of memories, society would remain emotionally shallow and disconnected, unable to learn from the past or experience life in its full complexity.
How does the Giver’s wisdom help the community avoid past mistakes?
The Giver’s wisdom helps the community avoid past mistakes by preserving and reflecting on the collective memories that contain both the beauty and the dangers of human life. His knowledge of the past enables the community to steer clear of mistakes like war, uncontrolled emotions, and chaos. However, this wisdom also exposes the tension between maintaining stability and sacrificing essential human experiences, leading to the community’s choice to suppress rather than embrace the full complexity of life. Preventing War and Violence; Recognizing the Dangers of Excessive Control; Understanding the Need for Emotions; Guiding the Decision-Making Process; The Role of the Receiver in Keeping the Community Safe
Why does Jonas think the Giver and him can change things together?
Jonas believes that he and The Giver can change things together because they share the knowledge of what the community has lost, they have the ability to influence the future through Jonas’ role as the Receiver, and they share a deep emotional connection and a vision for a better, more authentic life. Through their partnership, Jonas comes to believe that change is possible, even if it means taking bold and dangerous steps to break free from the system that holds the community captive.
How does the memory of warfare change Jonas?
Awareness of Suffering: He becomes acutely aware of the depth of human suffering, both physical and emotional. Loss of Innocence: The experience forces Jonas to confront the reality that life involves difficult choices and suffering. Empathy and Responsibility: As Jonas witnesses the trauma of war, he begins to understand the importance of memory and the role it plays in shaping empathy and understanding. the memory of warfare is a turning point for Jonas, leading him to question the society he lives in and consider the cost of erasing painful memories in the pursuit of stability and comfort. It marks the beginning of his awakening to the broader, more complicated aspects of human existence.
What impact did the moment Jonas realizes he needed to leave the community make on the story?
Jonas’s realization that he must leave the community transforms the narrative from one of quiet, controlled existence to one of risk, rebellion, and the hope for a more authentic and meaningful life. It propels the story toward its ending, setting up both the personal journey of Jonas and the thematic resolution concerning freedom, memory, and individuality. Jonas’s Awakening to the Truth Jonas’s Rejection of the Community’s Values Theme of Sacrifice and Freedom A Shifting Dynamic with The Giver
How does nature become both an obstacle and source of beauty when Jonas escapes?
It acts as an obstacle because Jonas faces harsh conditions, like cold weather, hunger, and loneliness, which make survival difficult. The wilderness is a tough, unfamiliar place compared to the controlled, safe life he left behind.
However, nature is also a source of beauty. For the first time, Jonas sees colors, smells the fresh air, and experiences the world in ways he never could in the community. Nature symbolizes his newfound freedom and the potential for a life filled with real emotions and experiences. It reminds him of the memories he received from The Giver and gives him hope that the people in the community might one day experience this beauty too. Nature represents both the challenges and the possibilities of Jonas’s escape.
How does Jonas feel when his number is skipped at the ceremony of 12?
When Jonas’ number is skipped at the Ceremony of Twelve, he feels confused, embarrassed, and anxious. He doesn’t understand why he hasn’t been called up, which makes him worry something is wrong with him or that he’s been forgotten. This public oversight makes him feel self-conscious and uncertain about his future. However, when he is eventually called up, he learns that he has been selected for the special and important role of Receiver of Memory. While he feels relieved to finally have an explanation, he is also shocked and overwhelmed by the gravity of the position.
What emotions does Jonas experience as he begins training as receiver of memory?
As Jonas begins his training as the Receiver of Memory, he experiences a range of emotions. Initially, he feels confused and curious about his new role. As he receives memories, he is shocked by the pain and fear caused by the intense, emotional experiences, such as war and loss. He also feels awe and wonder when he experiences memories of love and beauty. These emotions are overwhelming, and Jonas becomes angry and frustrated as he realizes how much his society has suppressed. Ultimately, he begins to feel a sense of determination to change things, driven by his newfound understanding of the world.
How does Lowis Lowry use personification to describe his emotions?
In The Giver, Lois Lowry uses personification to make Jonas’ emotions feel more vivid and tangible. She describes emotions as active forces that control or overpower him, such as fear or embarrassment taking hold of him. Memories are often personified as living entities that affect his emotional state, and his emotions are sometimes described as physical, like a heavy weight or something that engulfs him. This technique helps convey the intensity of Jonas’ emotional experiences and makes them feel more real and consuming.
Identify similes and metaphors used to describe the memories Jonas receives
In The Giver, Lois Lowry uses similes and metaphors to vividly describe the memories Jonas receives. Similes, like comparing the sled to a toy or the snow to a soft pillow, emphasize the pleasant sensations in the memories. Metaphors, such as the memory being a warm blanket or pain being like a sharp knife, convey the intense emotional and physical experiences Jonas undergoes. These literary devices help make the memories more vivid and allow readers to feel the depth of Jonas’ journey.
Why is the Giver the only person who holds memories?
The Giver is the only person who holds memories in the community because the society has chosen to suppress emotions and the past to maintain control and stability. The memories, both painful and pleasurable, are kept with the Receiver of Memory to prevent the population from being overwhelmed. This ensures the community remains emotionally controlled and uniform, with The Giver guiding the leaders when necessary.
How does the Giver advise the community, and what past mistakes did he help prevent?
The Giver advises the community by using his knowledge of the past, gained through the memories he holds. He provides wisdom to the leaders when needed, helping them make decisions based on the lessons of history. By holding the memories, The Giver can guide the community away from past mistakes, such as wars, pain, and suffering. He helps prevent the community from repeating these mistakes by ensuring the leaders have access to the lessons of the past, even though they are kept from the general population. The Giver’s role is to use the memories to protect the community from the consequences of ignorance and repetition.
What does the Giver mean when he says, “The worst part of holding memories is not the pain, it’s the loneliness of it”?
When The Giver says, “The worst part of holding memories is not the pain, it’s the loneliness of it,” he means that while the pain of the memories is difficult to bear, the isolation he feels from carrying them is even worse. He is the only one in the community who holds the memories, so he has to experience all the emotions—both good and bad—alone. This loneliness comes from not being able to share the depth of his experiences with anyone else, as the rest of the community is unaware of these memories and lives in emotional ignorance.
What themes about choice, emotion, and memory are developed in the novel?
The Giver explores how the suppression of choice, emotion, and memory can create a controlled, predictable society but also leads to a lack of true humanity. The novel shows that choice is essential for freedom, emotion brings depth and meaning to life, and memory is key to understanding the past and making informed decisions. These themes highlight the importance of embracing the complexity of human experience, even with its pain, in order to live a full and meaningful life.
How does the novel explore the consequences of sameness?
In The Giver, the novel explores the consequences of sameness by depicting a society that eliminates individuality, diversity, and emotion in the pursuit of uniformity and control. The community enforces sameness through strict rules, medication to suppress emotions, and the elimination of memories. While this creates a seemingly peaceful, stable, and predictable environment, it also leads to significant loss. People are denied the richness of human experience, such as love, joy, pain, and personal choice, which makes life feel shallow and unfulfilled. The consequences of sameness become clear as Jonas begins to experience the depth of life through memories—he realizes that without differences and emotions, people lose their humanity and the ability to grow, learn, and truly connect with others. The novel suggests that the pursuit of absolute sameness, while offering security, results in a life devoid of meaning, personal freedom, and emotional depth.
Why does Jonas ultimately decide to leave, and what does his journey symbolize?
Jonas ultimately decides to leave the community because he cannot accept the controlled, emotionless life that suppresses individual choice, freedom, and true human experience. After learning the truth about release (which involves euthanasia) and witnessing the consequences of his society’s rigid rules, he realizes that he cannot live in a place where people are denied the full spectrum of life. His decision to leave symbolizes his quest for freedom, individuality, and the right to make his own choices. It represents his desire to experience the depth of human emotions, both good and bad, and to challenge a system that sacrifices humanity for stability. Jonas’ journey is a search for truth, personal growth, and the reclaiming of the richness of life that the community has erased.
How does Jonas’ escape plan fall apart?
Jonas’ escape plan falls apart when he realizes the extent of the community’s control and the challenges he faces in escaping. His plan involves leaving the community and finding the freedom and memories that have been suppressed. However, things start to go wrong when Jonas runs away earlier than planned, after witnessing the truth about release. He takes the path to freedom without knowing exactly what lies ahead and faces immediate danger from the search teams who are tracking him. Additionally, the community’s precision in control—such as the absence of food and resources, and the lack of proper preparation—puts him at great risk. Despite these obstacles, his journey symbolizes his rebellion against a system that keeps people confined, even though his plan doesn’t go exactly as he envisioned. Ultimately, his escape is a desperate attempt for change, even though its success is uncertain.
What literary techniques does Lowry use to build suspense as Jonas flees?
Lois Lowry builds suspense as Jonas flees by using several literary techniques. She uses short, fragmented sentences to create urgency and vivid imagery to convey the harshness of his journey. Foreshadowing hints at the dangers ahead, while Jonas’ internal conflict adds emotional tension. Dramatic irony creates suspense by revealing more to the reader than Jonas knows, and cliffhangers leave readers on edge. The silence and isolation Jonas faces during his escape enhance the tension, making his journey unpredictable and suspenseful. These techniques keep readers engaged and anxious about his fate.
How does the setting change towards the end of the book, and how does this impact Jonas?
Towards the end of The Giver, the setting shifts dramatically as Jonas leaves the controlled, predictable environment of the community and enters the unknown wilderness. The change in setting symbolizes his transition from a life of restriction to one of freedom and uncertainty. The harsh, unfamiliar landscape reflects the challenges and dangers he faces, but it also represents the possibility of new experiences, growth, and discovery. This change impacts Jonas by forcing him to confront both physical and emotional struggles, but also giving him the opportunity to experience real emotions, such as fear, love, and hope. The setting shift marks Jonas’ journey toward independence and the search for a life beyond the confines of the community’s control.
Explain the theme of freedom vs. control
In The Giver, the theme of freedom vs. control explores the tension between a society that enforces strict control over emotions, choices, and memories, and the idea that true freedom involves embracing both joy and pain. While the community’s control creates safety and predictability, it also strips away individuality and emotional depth. Jonas’ journey symbolizes the importance of freedom, as he chooses to leave the controlled society to experience life fully, with all its challenges and opportunities for growth. The novel shows that freedom is essential for personal development and authentic happiness.
Explain the theme the importance of memories
In The Giver, the theme of the importance of memories highlights how memories shape identity, inform decisions, and provide valuable lessons. The community suppresses memories to maintain control and stability, but Jonas learns that memories—both joyful and painful—are essential for understanding life fully. They connect people to the past, offer wisdom, and allow for personal growth. The novel shows that memories are crucial for living a meaningful life and that without them, people cannot experience the depth of human emotions or make informed choices.
Explain the theme the role of emotions in human experience
The theme of the role of emotions in human experience in The Giver explores how emotions, both positive and negative, are essential to living a full, meaningful life. In the community, emotions are suppressed to maintain control and eliminate conflict, leading to a shallow, predictable existence. However, as Jonas receives memories, he realizes that emotions—such as love, joy, pain, and fear—are crucial for growth, connection, and understanding. The novel shows that while emotions can be challenging, they give life depth and meaning, and without them, people lose their humanity and the ability to truly live.
How does Lowry create mystery in different scenes?
Lowry uses unclear explanations and hints about the community’s rules, particularly around concepts like “release” and the true nature of memories. This leaves readers questioning the truth until Jonas gradually uncovers it.
How does Jonas change throughout the story?
Jonas changes significantly throughout The Giver. He starts as a naive, obedient member of the community, unaware of its true nature. As he receives memories from The Giver, he becomes aware of emotions, pain, and the limitations of his society. Jonas moves from dependence on the community’s rules to independence, questioning authority and eventually choosing to leave the society for freedom. His journey represents a shift from fear to courage, as he seeks to experience life fully and embrace both its joys and challenges.
How does Lowry create sadness in different scenes?
The emotional weight of Jonas’ experiences, such as his growing awareness of the pain, loss, and the consequences of the community’s actions, creates sadness. The scene of Jonas witnessing the release of a baby is particularly heartbreaking, as he realizes the cruelty behind it.
How does Lowry create tension in different scenes?
Lowry builds tension with cliffhangers, short sentences, and uncertainty, especially as Jonas begins his escape. The constant threat of being caught, the unfamiliar, dangerous environment, and Jonas’ emotional turmoil heighten the suspense.
How does the Giver change throughout the story?
Throughout The Giver, The Giver changes from a burdened, isolated mentor to a figure of hope and release. At the beginning, he is weighed down by the pain of holding all the memories of the past and feels a sense of loneliness due to his role. He has resigned himself to the community’s controlled way of life. However, as Jonas begins to learn and question the world around him, The Giver gains hope that change is possible. By the end of the story, he is ready to help Jonas escape, understanding that Jonas’ departure might lead to a chance for change and a future outside the rigid control of the community. His transformation reflects his renewed belief in the potential for a better life.
How does Jonas’ dad change throughout the story?
Jonas’ dad changes subtly throughout The Giver. Initially, he is a loving, caring father and dutiful member of the community, working as a nurturer. However, as Jonas learns about release and witnesses his father performing euthanasia on a newborn, he realizes that his father, like everyone else, is emotionally detached and follows orders without questioning their morality. This realization marks a shift in Jonas’ understanding of his father’s role in the community, as he sees that his dad, despite being loving, is part of a system that sacrifices humanity for control.
