The following discussion topics are vital to the themes and symbols of "The Giver". Choose a topic every week and answer the questions, submitting your responses to me using the response form below. Remember to include the title of the discussion topic you have chosen. Your responses will be put onto the forum page so that you and your classmates can engage with the content and get to know each other's ideas , opinions and thoughts.
THE GIVER - The concept of Utopia and Dystopia
| What is the concept of a utopia? What constitutes a utopia?
| What is the concept of a dystopia? What constitutes a dystopia?
| THINK: Is Jonas' society a utopia or a dystopia?
RELATE: What would we consider in Jonas' society to be part of our utopia?
LINK: We live in a Capitalist society - how are our societal ideals different from the society that Jonas is living in?
| THINK: Is Jonas' society a utopia or a dystopia?
RELATE: What would we consider in Jonas' society to be part of our utopia?
LINK: We live in a Capitalist society - how are our societal ideals different from the society that Jonas is living in?
THE GIVER - "Release"
| The word "release" is used as a motif in "The Giver". What is a motif?
| What does the word "release" mean in The Giver?
- What did most people believe "release" was? What emotion came with this thought?
- What was the actual meaning of "release"in the Community? What emotion then did this actual meaning bring to people?
| In what situations in our society do we have "release"? (Not sure? Refer to the pictures for clues.)
- What are our reasons for release in our society? How do these compare to Jonas' community?
| What does the word "release" mean in The Giver?
- What did most people believe "release" was? What emotion came with this thought?
- What was the actual meaning of "release"in the Community? What emotion then did this actual meaning bring to people?
| In what situations in our society do we have "release"? (Not sure? Refer to the pictures for clues.)
- What are our reasons for release in our society? How do these compare to Jonas' community?
THE GIVER - Symbols and Emblems
| What is a symbol?
What is an emblem?
What is an emblem?
| What symbols and emblems are used in "The Giver" and what do they represent? (Not sure? Use the pictures below as clues.)
Sled Image from http://ogden.102ptc.net/files/images/08_rs_sled2.gif
Apple Image from http://dreamatico.com/apple.html
River Image from http://images.clipartpanda.com/river-clip-art-as2290.gif
Bicycle Image from https://ukiahbicyclekitchen.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/bicycle-clip-art-4.gif.
Newborn Image from http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2013/11/24/01/34/newborn-216723_640.jpg
Apple Image from http://dreamatico.com/apple.html
River Image from http://images.clipartpanda.com/river-clip-art-as2290.gif
Bicycle Image from https://ukiahbicyclekitchen.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/bicycle-clip-art-4.gif.
Newborn Image from http://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2013/11/24/01/34/newborn-216723_640.jpg
| What are some symbols used in other books you have read? (E.g. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, etc.)
| What are some symbols we use in our society and what do they represent?