The Giver by Lois Lowry - Chapter 1

Setting and Mood

• Time: Almost December.
• Main Character: Jonas.
• Mood: Jonas is feeling a complex emotion, initially described as frightened but later identified as apprehensive.

Incident with the Aircraft

• Event: A year ago, an unidentified aircraft flew over the community twice, causing fear and confusion.
  • Jonas and other citizens were ordered indoors.
  • The situation was resolved; it was a pilot error, and the pilot was "released." This implies serious consequences for mistakes.

Community Rules and Language

• Rules: Strict rules about flying over the community.
• Language: Emphasis on precise language to express feelings.
  • Jonas is careful with words, unlike his friend Asher who often mixes up phrases.
  • Example Incident: Asher apologizes for being "distraught" instead of "distracted," leading to a language lesson.

Evening Ritual: Sharing Feelings

• Family Ritual: Each family member shares their feelings from the day.
  • Lily's Feeling: Anger towards visiting children who broke rules but later understands they might not have known the rules.
  • Father's Concern: Worry about a new child not thriving and the possibility of the child's release, which is a sad event.
  • Mother's Frustration: Concerned about a repeat offender who might face release after a third transgression.

Jonas's Feelings

• Jonas's Feeling: Apprehensive about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve, a significant event in the community.
  • His parents show understanding, and it's implied that they will have a private conversation with him about it.

Themes and Concepts

• Release: A recurring theme with serious implications; it's a form of punishment or failure.
• Ceremony of Twelve: A milestone event in the community, significant enough to cause Jonas apprehension.
• Community and Conformity: The emphasis on rules, communal rituals, and the consequences of not fitting in.