Study Guide For THE GIVER

• Considered Science Fiction by many
• Considered Fantasy by Russell
• can be fairly didactic
• technology
• climate control
• no hills
• no illness
• no pain
• no war
• The Giver
  
• gives memories by touch
• represents fantasy
• has all the memories of the world
• The Community
• Appears to be a Utopia
• perfect world
• doesn't and couldn't exist
• Characteristics of The Community
• Sameness (lesser jobs exist)
• no choices
• no color
• no memories of/from previous generations (live in the now)
• no pain
• no need
• no extreme emotions (love/hate; anger/joy; etc.)
• no sex
• no animals
• climate control
• Release
• Rituals
• evening- telling of feelings
• morning- telling of dreams
• yearly age ceremony
• release of old ceremony
• population strictly controlled
• possessions standardized
• regimented lives (every hour and action of the day prescribed by rules)
• no illness
• seems to be no war
• no competition (drive to do well)
• no celebrations
• always keep number that was given at birth
• no religion
• no question of authority
  
• mature society (never kids being kids)
• disconnected (no relationships as we know them)
• happily obedient
  
• Not what it appears to be/missing/wrong
  
• no choices
• things/people/places seem utilitarian rather than pleasurable, happy
  
• The community
• institutionalized
• Dwelling
• Family Unit
• Comfort object (stuffed animals)
• prescribed language, relationships
• no real joy, pleasure, happiness, LOVE
• no sexual relationships, no bonding in relationships
• no religion/faith (not needed)
• Release
• no color
• no memories
• no art or expression
• no advancement
• no real growth in apologizing
  
• all real pain belongs to one person (The Receiver/Giver
• nothing genuine
  
• no depth/shallow