Details from The Giver

Here is the list of details we collected from The Giver during class on Wednesday. I’m posting them here, so that we can refer back to them as a class and as individuals as we finish reading the book and seek to understand the ways in which these seemingly important details contribute (or don’t) to the meaning of the book as a whole.

–Fiona and the dream Jonas had about her and saw her hair color
–Jonas’s family agreed to not keep Gabe and not get attached
–everyone had a title “the giver” etc.
–no options; no choices; everything set in stone
–no color
–they have to discuss their dreams every morning
–Jonas has capacity to “see beyond”
–Where is Elsewhere? Where are they going when released?
–idea of pleasure and pain; don’t face much pain – everything is laid out
–Lily didn’t seem happy when Jonas received his assignment
–young and elderly disciplined with wand (being hit)
–no animals (except fish – hatchery)
–allusion to communist society
–didn’t keep track of age after 12
–night nurturers lacked the skills of the daytime nurturers and didn’t know how to interact in society
–Ceremony of 12 – Jonas got a “real calling” instead of an “assignment” – seemed to be even more difficult than the regular jobs
–relationship that Gabe has played – and parallels with Jonas (male and light eyes)
–no individual birthdays
–The Giver can turn off the speaker (only one with that power)
–idea of a Utopian society might not be a good idea after all
–father broke the rule about looking at Gabe’s name and mother didn’t seem to mind (in such a rule oriented society where this is her job)
–detached from other humans (even spouse); no touching = rude!
–precision of language – very controlled (overall control)
–they all go along with it. How did this all start? How to convince people to go along with such a thing?
–discussing feelings, but no “real” feelings
–Why did first receiver of memory fail? What is the big secret about her and her name?
–Giver/Receiver more luxurious lifestyle
–young bathe elderly and no qualms about nakedness in that exact setting