THE GIVER BY LOIS LOWRY

LESSON 8 ( CHS. 17-18)

 Prohibited from copying, sharing, or distributing without
prior permission from Allen Wen
 LO IS LO WR Y ’ S SP E E C H : ‘ ’ W H AT IF Y O U
CO UL D CO N T R O L M
EM O R Y : WR IT IN GTH
E GI V E R

 1. What inspired Lowry to write the novel?

 2. Explain how you think this quotation stated by Lowry relates to Jonas:
‘’The main character has to make some decisions that will change either
the immediate circumstances, or the character, or the whole world.”
 3.Explain what Lowry means by this statement: ‘’With the eradication of memory,
feeling has been destroyed has well.’’

 4. According to Lowry, why is it a bad idea to get rid of sad memories?

 UNSCHEDULEDHOLIDAY!

 Lowry writes, ‘’It happened so

rarely, and was such a treat to the
community when it did.’’
 JONASISCHANGING

 ‘’He had not taken the pills, now, for four weeks. The Stirrings
had returned, and he felt a little guilty and embarrassed about the
pleasure dreams that came to him as he slept. But he knew he
couldn’t go back to the world of no feelings that he had lived in so
long.’’

 ‘’Now he could see all of the colors; and he could keep them,
too, so that the trees and grass and bushes stayed green in his
vision.’’
 STOPANDJOT

 How has Jonas’s thinking about his world changed since

the beginning of the novel? What evidence from the text
demonstrates this change?
 STOPANDJOT

 What does Lowry mean when she

writes that Jonas’s feelings are
deeper and they are felt?
 ‘’GAMEOFWAR’’

 Lowry writes, “Jonas stepped

back… Feelings surged within
Jonas…He had a sudden choking
feeling, as if it were
difficult to breathe.’’
 AUTHOR’ SSTYLE AND
CRAFT

Jonas’s rollercoaster of emotions

Lowry shows his internal thoughts and feelings.

 MANVS.SOCIETY

 External Conflict

 Jonas is struggling to find truth; seeing the

injustice of his society
 FIONA

 Lowry writes, ‘’Jonas looked at her. She was lovely. For a

fleeting instant he thought he would like nothing better than to ride
peacefully along the river path, laughing and talking with his gentle
female friend. But he knew that such times had been taken from
him now.’’
 JONASISOVERWHELMED

 Lowry writes, ‘’His childhood, his

friendships, his carefree sense of
security—all ofthese things seemed
to be slipping away.’’
 H AVE YOU SEEN
ELSEWHERE, FATHER?

 Father replies no.

 Jonas is questioning some aspect of

the society (again).
 CHAPTER 17 DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS

 What concerns does Jonas have about his Assignment and

about his society?

 How has Jonas changed in his feelings towards Asher and Fiona?
 Why do you think the author includes several little scenes in
this chapter? Think about how your feelings changed as a reader
throughout the chapter. Why did Lowry want you to see all these
different feelings for Jonas?
 ROSEMARY

 ‘’She was a remarkable young woman.

Very self-possessed and serene.
Intelligent, eager to learn.’’
 GIVER’SBROKENHEART

 ‘’It broke my heart, Jonas, to transfer pain to

her. But it was my job…Five weeks. That was
all. She was like you Jonas. She wanted to
experience everything.’
 WHAT HAPPENED TO HER
MEMORIES?

 Giver looks at Jonas gravely: ‘’The

memories came back to the people….For
awhile, they overwhelmed the community…
They never experienced them before.’’
 ‘’ISUPPOSE,ICOULD—’’

 Giver further notes, ‘’…if they lost you…they’d have all those
memories again themselves…They wouldn’t know how to deal with it
all.’’

 Jonas responds, ‘’The only way I deal with it is by having

you there to help me.’’

 Giver nodded, ‘’I suppose, that I could—…If you floated

off in the river, I suppose I could help the community the way I’ve
helped you. It’s an interesting concept.’’
 CHAPTER 18 DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS

 What do you think the Giver is thinking

at the end ofthe chapter?
 What happened to the memories
transferred to Rosemary? How were the
training rules changed as a result?
 HOWISJONASCHANGING?

 First identify Jonas’s new

feeling about the topic. Then
answer the question.
 1.

 A. First viewpoint: Jonas, Lily, and their parents are a

normal, happy family unit.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. What would Jonas say is missing from his family?

 2.

 A. First viewpoint: The evening telling of feelings is a good

way to deal with emotions.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. Why do you think members of the community rarely

express strong feelings?
 3.

 A. First viewpoint: The community has always been the way

it is now.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. Why has this information been kept from the community?

 4.

 A. First viewpoint: Since the community went to

Sameness, everything is perfect.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. How likely are other people in the community to agree

with Jonas’s point of view?
 5.

 A. First viewpoint: The shooting game Asher and Tanya play

is harmless fun.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. Why do you think the children in this community play

this imaginary game?
 6.

 A. First viewpoint: Jonas will be happy with his Assignment.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. What choices does Jonas have about continuing his training?

 7.

 A. First viewpoint: The Receiver of Memory has great power.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. Why do you think the Elders hold the Receiver in such

high esteem?
 8.

 A. First viewpoint: Releases are beautiful celebrations that

send the person on to live Elsewhere.

 B. New viewpoint:

 C. Why do you think that no ordinary member of the

community is allowed to view a release?
 ‘’ORDINARYHUMAN’’

 By One Republic

 Please write down a line or two from the song lyrics as evidence
to support your answer to the question below:

 How does this song relate to Jonas’s thoughts and feelings?