Themes in the novel THE GIVER - ELA-ted

YOUR LEARNING TASK:

You will identify one of the major themes in the novel THE GIVER and write a 3 - 5 paragraph essay explaining how author Lois Lowry develops this theme in three distinct ways, using specific text evidence to support your ideas.

🍎An introduction to THEME
What is theme?
"In contemporary literary studies, a theme is the central topic a text treats.

Typical examples of themes of this type are conflict between the individual and society; coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; and the dangers of unchecked ambition. A theme may be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. A story may have several themes."

SOURCE: Wikipedia

❄️ What are some of the themes in THE GIVER? Check out the movie and the mini poster below for some inspiration.

👀 Let's look at those essential THEME questions again with an added explanation and connection to the text. Also, check out and feel free to use any of the sample THEME THESES listed below each question.

What is the cost of conformity?

This question wants you to think about "sameness" as a way of living. Is "sameness" a desirable goal for a society? If so, how? If not, why?
In Jonas's community, "sameness" was the goal. His society sacrificed individuality in order to get conformity, or sameness.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores how conformity without critical thinking leads to a society of followers, not problem solvers.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how unquestioning conformity can lead to people following rules that may be very harmful to them and those in their families and communities.

Where do we get the courage to face our deepest fears?

This question wants you to think about how in his moments of weakness and fear Jonas was able to summon the courage to go on. How did he do it? How do you do it?

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry demonstrates that even in one's darkest moments, one can find the courage to face one's worst fears.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how, even in situations of extreme threat, people can find the courage and strength to face overcome their worst fears.

How is language used as a social control?

This question wants you to think about how people use language in propaganda or limit freedom of speech in order to control the thoughts and decisions of others.
In Jonas's community the language people used was monitored. The elders were also careful about what information people had access to in order to create a "story" or narrative about the community they wanted their citizens to believe.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores how controlling the speech of others can lead to a form of social control.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how policing the language people use can lead to braoder control of people's personal lives.

What do we gain and what do we lose when we elevate group identity over individual identity?

This question wants you to think about whether it is more important to defend the rights of a group of people over the rights of an individual person or the other way around.
In Jonas's community, the well being of the group mattered more than the individual. An individual who didn't follow the rules of the group could be released.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores how placing value on group identity over individual identity can lead to discrimination or injustice.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how those who value group identity over individual identity risk undervaluing the lives of certain people they deem as misfits.

Is it better to have choices and make mistakes or have no choices and thus not make any mistakes?

This question wants you to think about choices and how having them sometimes means we make the wrong ones. On the other hand, if we had no choices, because someone else did the choosing for us, does that make life safer or better in any way?
Jonas and The Giver talked about how in taking choice away from the people of the community, the elders hoped to save people from the terrible consequences making wrong choices.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry shows how it is better to have choices and make mistakes than to have no choice at all, even if it means making costly mistakes.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how having the ability to make one's own choices, however bad they may be, is better than limiting a person's choice to keep them from making and learning from their mistakes.

How do our memories shape us as individuals? How do the memories of history shape our societies?

This question wants you to think about how our memories help to make us who we are and how they help to guide us in the future?
This question also wants you to think about the importance of collective memory, or, in other words, our shared history. Why is understanding our past important to our present and our future?
In Jonas's world, only one member of the community knows about the past because the past causes people pain, and the community doesn't want to experience any pain at any time.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores how memories, good and bad, shape individuals and societies in necessary ways.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how people's memories, as individuals or societies, shape the future.

Is there truth to the adage: no pain, no gain?

This question wants you to think about the two sides to our emotions: we love people who can break our hearts; we are angry about being wronged, but use that anger to make changes in society; we are happy one day, knowing we may experience sorrow the next. So, it is better to feel emotions, even if they hurt us sometimes?
In Jonas's society, feelings are to be feared. Feelings cause trouble and pain, and there is no place for the trouble and pain they cause. Feelings disrupt the contentment of the community, so to dull them, people take pills and learn nothing about the past.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores how people learn to do better as a result of their pain.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how pain can be a teacher to both individuals and societies.

Is there ever a reason to abandon hope?

This question wants you to think about the value of having hope. Hope keeps us going when we are facing difficulties. Should we ever stop hoping? If so, when and why? If not, why?
Even as Jonas faced starvation and freezing temperatures, he understood that fleeing his community with Gabriel was his only hope. He could not live without love and he knew if he didn't flee, Gabe would not have any life at all.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In reading the novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, readers learn that even in one's darkest moments there are reasons to find hope.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how hope is possible, even when one is experiencing the worst life has to offer.

Is there truth in Patrick Henry's statement: "Give me liberty (freedom) or give me death?"

This questions wants you to think about the nature of freedom. What does it mean to be free? How important is freedom? Why?
In leaving, Jonas knew he was risking both his life as well as Gabe's. Was the risk worth it? Will they find freedom of some kind? That was the hope, that in Elsewhere, they would be free.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores the idea that above all other values, a person's liberty and freedom to be themselves is most prized.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how a life without freedom is a life devoid of meaning.

What is the value of family?

This question wants you to think about the importance of family relationships. What is family? Do all of us need to belong to one? Why or why not?
Jonas has a family. Like every family in his community, he has a mother, a father, and a sister. Every family looks and behaves the same way. But, when Jonas asks his parents if they love him, they criticize him for using the word "love." Love is not part of family life in the community, but it used to be. It's in the memories. Without love, it seems to Jonas that family life is incomplete

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry explores the idea that family is more than shared DNA or the roles people play within a family unit.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how true family is marked by a shared committment to the well being of those in the family unit, not simply by genetic inheritance or title.

Are some lives more valuable than others? Who gets to decide?

This question wants you to think about the way people in socieities treat each other. In particluar, how do people treat those who are not in their "group." Are all people in our society treated equally?
In Jonas's world, some people are less valuable than others. For example, the old, the disabled, and those who do not conform to the rules are deemed disposable, so they can be released without anyone raising alarm. Also, some children who are considered less capable are given jobs in the community that are considered undesirable.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry shows that every life has value, no matter one's age, ability level or physical characteristics.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to demonstrate that every life has value, even those who are considered too young, too old, or too unlike the majority.

Are there things that are worth fighting and even dying for?

This questions wants you to think about those things in life that are of such value that people will fight or even die to protect them.

In THE GIVER Jonas risks his life to save Gabe. He knows he may die in his efforts to get to Elsewhere, and he knows Gabe might die along with him, but these risks outway staying and allowing Gabe to be killed. Also, before Jonas actually has to run away, he and The Giver made a plan for his escape in order to free the people to feel emotions again, knowing they could be released if they were caught before the plan was carried out.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry develops the theme that some things are worth fighting and even dying for.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to explore how some things in life are worth fighting and even dying for, including protecting the lives of those who are most vulnerable in society.

Is there such a thing as a perfect world?

This question wants you to think about how in trying to create a perfect world, someone must be in charge and impose their will and ideas on the others who are not in charge. That someone gets to decide for others what a "perfect" world is, therefore creating a problem for people who disagree.
In Jonas's world, the elders decide what "perfect" is and in order to make sure their vision of perfection is protected, they kill anyone who disagrees or doesn't match their expectations.

SAMPLE THESES FOR THIS QUESTION

In her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry shows that it is not possible to create a perfect world without sacrificing people's free will.
Author Lois Lowry uses her novel The Giver to demonstrate that in trying to create a perfect world, people may lose various individual freedoms.

📝 Getting Ready to Write Your Essay
This slideshow is helpful in reminding you about the expectations of the project, each step of the way. Though I will talk about the scope and sequence of the project in class, this is a good review if you forget or if you missed in-person class instruction.

Introducing Your Theme Essay Project by Claudia Bestor

Now, let's get started! 🥳

❍ Prewriting Stage - Using the Graphic Organizer (In Google Classroom)

1. First, choose your theme question. Then write your thesis statement in answer to that question.
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You may use the following sentence starters to format your thesis. Notice how each includes the name of the novel and the author along with the theme. Note: When using MLA (Modern Language Association) format, italicize the book title.

Lois Lowry explores the theme of ... in her novel The GIver.
In her novel The Giver Lois Lowry develops the theme of ...
In her novel The Giver Lois Lowry shows readers that ...
Through her novel, The Giver, author Lois Lowry demonstrates that...
In reading the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry, readers learn that...

2. Now, fill in examples from the novel that support your thesis. These are easier to find if you start by asking yourself this question: How does the author develop the idea I have written about in my thesis statement?
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Authors may develop theme using any of the following elements of fiction:

Events- what happens to the characters along the way
Characters - character qualities, character actions, and how characters respond to situations
Character development - the ways characters change, and the lessons they learn
Conflict - what causes the conflicts the characters face and how these conflicts are resolved
Relationships - those relationships, for better or worse, that influence the main characters
Dialogue and internal character thoughts - what characters say or think
Setting - social norms and values during the time frame of the story; the physical barriers or challenges a setting provides
Symbolism - objects or characters that represent important ideas or truths
Structure - the contrast between the beginning and the end of a novel; multiple perspectives/narrators

Need help remembering what happens in each chapter?

✓Visit the website Shmoop : https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/the-giver
✓Visit Course Hero for help also: https://www.coursehero.com/lit/The-Giver/
✓User your Title Trackers!
✓Use Mrs. Davies' ready made quotes page here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AJbLlUG0ILHd2XeK_qAPBPJhFPhSyMXsXf-VWUKuxkc/edit?usp=sharing

3. Finally, identify specific passages of evidence from the text that supports each example. Make sure you include page numbers for each piece of textual evidence. All of this work will be done in your graphic organizer, which has been shared with you in Google Classroom. See a sample of this graphic organizer below.

❍ Drafting & Editing Stage - Writing & Proofreading Your Essay

Now, open up a new Google Doc and begin your writing. The content of the paragraphs in your essay will come directly from your graphic organizer. If you prefer to use an outline before writing your final essay, one has been shared with you in Google Classroom, though you can see a copy of it below. If you don't actually type your ideas in the outline, make sure you at least are referring to it as a guide!

✍🏼THEME ESSAY OUTLINE (In Google Classroom)

✍🏼WRITER'S GUIDE
Use the guide below to help you as your formulate your writing at a sentence and paragraph level. The guide is set up to take you from introduction through conclusion.

Aqua Notepad English Classroom Poster by Claudia Bestor

❍ Self-evaluating Your Essay

Use the scoring guide below (also available in Google Classroom) to help you assess your own work. Make changes accordingly. When you are confident that you have achieved your best writing, you may turn in your essay.

✍🏼USING IN-TEXT CITATIONS (MLA STYLE)

Use the text below as a reference for how to write in-text citations. Since we are only referring to a single work of literature in this essay assignment, we do not need a works cited page or any other information in the parenthetical citations except the page number on which you found your text evidence.

✍🏼AVOID MAKING THESE COMMON WRITING MISTAKES
Use the slideshow below to help you as you edit your writing for conventional errors. Also, make sure you are using the free spelling and grammar advice Google Docs offers in their spelling and grammar checking tool (under Tools on the menu bar).

Common Mistakes to Avoid by Claudia Bestor