THE GIVER-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FROM #1-3 BELOW:
1. In ToK, we have explored and discussed many ways of knowing as a means that one might come to KNOW about
themselves and the world around them. Imagination, intuition, faith, reason, emotion, sense perception, memory and
language are the WoK’s we have discussed.
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Choose five of these ways of knowing, and discuss them in depth in terms of their importance and usefulness to
the characters and the society in “The Giver.”
After discussing each of the Ways of Knowing individually, write a paragraph or two illustrating how they are
interrelated (this can be how they support or conflict with each other).
2. Despite the community’s emphasis on precise language, language is often used as a tool for social control in “The
Giver.” This is accomplished through the use of euphemisms.
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Choose two words used in the society that distort or conceal the meaning of the words we use now in order to
promote the rules and conventions of the community, and describe how their use affects the behavior and
attitudes of the people in the community. The following questions might help you in your response:
o In what context is the word used?
o What word is it used in place of, and what are the connotations of the original word (i.e. what is the tone
of the word, and what feelings, images, and associated ideas does
it suggest)?
o What are the connotations of the euphemism, and what does it "cover up" that is suggested by the more
direct original word?
o Why do you think Jonas's community uses this particular expression; how does it fit into the commu nity's
social goals (peace, order, stability, sameness, etc.)?
3. In “The Giver” they didn't know about their past, but they also didn't really know about any other communities outside of
their own.
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Why would it be important for us to learn about, for example, China or Russia’s history from the Chinese or
Russian perspective and not simply as a small portion of Western (US) History?
Learning about different perspectives in history and politics may create more confusion or ambiguity in one’s
perspective. Is this beneficial or detrimental? Discuss in depth.
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FROM NUMBER 4-6 BELOW:
4. One of the most stirring scenes from the movie involve Jonas riding downhill on a sled.
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How is receiving memories like riding downhill on a sled?
o Be as descriptive and explicit as possible in your analogy.
5. Why is collective memory so important?
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What would be the results if society had no memory of its past?
Can you think of any situations where this has happened (or is currently happening) in our human history?
6. One of the more controversial topics in “The Giver” is euthanasia, or the practice of ending someone’s life to ease their
suffering. Jonas’s community practices euthanasia on very old citizens as well as upon unhealthy new children. Jonas’s
horror at this practice motivates him to take drastic measures to reform the society, and yet many people in our own
society consider euthanasia to be a compassionate practice and one that should be available to all citizens.
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Discuss the attitude toward euthanasia as expressed in “The Giver.”
How does this compare to our society’s view and treatment of Euthanasia