The Giver Study Guide
Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a futuristic society in which all the needs of its citizens seem to have been met. They are protected from poverty, hunger, disease and violence. When Jonas is given his lifetime assignment, he becomes the receiver of "the memories of the whole world" that are held by just one other person in the community. Jonas then discovers that his own world is far from perfect; for in order to achieve the sameness and security, the society has also sacrificed feelings, love, and choice.
This teacher resource encourages students to explore the following central question:
- How do our individual and collective memories shape who we are today and influence our future(s)?
