The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Literary Discussion Guide
1.
Characters
Jonas
Father
Mother
Lily
Asher
Gabriel
The Giver
The Elders
Fiona
Larissa
Chief Elder
The Committee
The Speaker
Annex Attendant
Caretaker
Rosemary
2.
The "Community"
What are the rules?
What are the roles of the citizens?
Explain the various "ceremonies" that take place.
Explain the concept of being "released" and "elsewhere."
How did the community feel about these?
What does Jonas come to believe and feel about them?
3.
Conflict
Person vs. Self (inner conflicts of feelings & thoughts)
Person vs. Person (protagonist vs. antagonist)
Person vs. Society (larger organizations/belief systems of society)
Person vs. Nature (battling the elements of nature)
4.
Symbols: Eye Color
Why do only a few members of the community have light colored eyes?
What "special powers" might these people have?
Which characters have light colored eyes?
5.
Foreshadowing
When Jonas starts to "see" some things differently (the apple, Fiona's hair,
the audience), what is he really seeing?
How do these references to "seeing" help to foreshadow the upcoming events?
How does the foreshadowing create tension and interest?
6.
Significance of Key Terms
Family Units
Sharing of dreams and feelings
House of the Old
First Stirrings
Sameness vs. Individuality
Comfort Objects
Birthmothers
7.
The Giver
What are the responsibilities of "The Giver" and "The Receiver?"
Describe the relationship between Jonas and The Giver.
8.
The Book's Ending
By book's end, is Jonas safe?
Will the community be forever changed?
