The text includes a synopsis, a general outline of the literary piece, the literary approach, some routines and a summary of a few lesson plans designed for the study of the book in a 9th grade Realschule (Germany).
Table of Contents
- Synopsis
- General outline
- Literary approach
- Routines...
- Lesson plans.
- Sources
Objectives and Key Themes
This teaching project aims to use Lois Lowry's novel "The Giver" as a tool for engaging 9th-grade Realschule students in English language learning. The book's accessible language, relevant themes, and intriguing plot make it suitable for fostering reading comprehension, analytical skills, and critical thinking.
- The importance of individual expression and freedom of choice.
- The consequences of a society that suppresses emotions and memories.
- The power of individual responsibility and taking action for change.
- The exploration of themes of utopia and dystopia.
- The role of memory and its impact on individual identity.
Chapter Summaries
The novel "The Giver" follows Jonas, a young boy living in a seemingly utopian society where all aspects of life are carefully controlled. The community has eliminated pain, suffering, and even color, but at the cost of individual choice and genuine human experience. Jonas is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory, tasked with receiving and preserving the memories of the past from the Giver, a wise old man. Through these memories, Jonas experiences a wide range of human emotions, including joy, sorrow, and pain, for the first time. He also discovers the dark secrets of the community, including the practice of "releasing," which is revealed to be euthanasia. When Jonas learns of his own family's involvement in releasing a newborn baby, he decides to escape the community with his younger brother, Gabriel, to protect him from the same fate. The novel concludes with Jonas and Gabriel fleeing to a mysterious new world filled with light, color, and music, leaving the reader to ponder the future of both Jonas and the community he has left behind.
Keywords
Key concepts and themes explored in "The Giver" include utopian society, dystopia, memory, emotion, individual choice, responsibility, and societal control. The novel also explores the concept of "release," which functions as a form of euthanasia, highlighting the ethical implications of such practices within a seemingly utopian society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main plot of "The Giver"?
The novel follows Jonas, a boy in a controlled utopian society who becomes the Receiver of Memory, learning about the true human emotions and dark secrets the community has suppressed.
Why is "The Giver" suitable for 9th-grade students?
It uses accessible language while exploring complex themes like individual freedom, social control, and ethics, making it ideal for fostering critical thinking in English language learners.
What are the central themes of the book?
Key themes include the importance of memory, the cost of a "perfect" society (utopia vs. dystopia), individual responsibility, and the value of human emotions.
What does "release" mean in the community?
In the community, "release" is a euphemism for euthanasia, used for the elderly, those who break rules, or infants who do not meet development standards.
Who is the Giver?
The Giver is the previous Receiver of Memory who transmits the collective memories of the world—both painful and joyful—to Jonas.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Johannes Vees (Autor:in), Michael Bruder (Autor:in), Andreas Jaksch (Autor:in), 2008, Teaching Project: Lois Lowry (1993) "The Giver", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139860
