9th - 12th Writing, March 6

Lesson:
We spent the class period discussing the students' opinions and ideas of The Giver by Lois Lowry. All agreed that it was well-written, easy to read, intriguing, and thought-provoking.

Among their observations:
This fictional novel, set in an undisclosed future time and place, discusses what at first appears and then is eventually discovered behind the scenes of a utopian (or rather, dystopian) society, where emotion, memory, autonomy, and even color have been relinquished for safety and Sameness.

The point of view is third-person limited omniscient, as the narrator relates the inner thoughts and feelings of the protagonist Jonas, and the observed actions of other characters.

The plot conflict is primarily person vs. society, with elements of person vs. self and person vs. nature.

The title itself has some significance --- who is the Giver?

The ending is deliberately written to be ambiguous --- do Jonas and Gabe live or die?

Assignment:
Students are to write a five-paragraph literary analysis of The Giver. This may follow the usual format in which the three body paragraphs are devoted, in turn, to the author's use of setting, character, and theme. Students also have the option of choosing a particular aspect of the author's work to explore. In any case, the essays should include mention of the various literary elements we have been used to including.

Students who choose to explore a theme must be certain to analyze this from the novel itself, and not just use the story as a jumping-off point for an essay about a theme. In other words, it WOULD be valid to discuss how the author establishes the tradition of ceremonial "release" to Elsewhere, and then allows Jonas to discover that "release" means death by euthanasia. It would NOT be valid simply to discuss euthanasia in abstract.

9th - 12th Writing, February 20

Lesson:
At this level, most lessons involve discussion of the reading and writing the students have been doing. This is what we did this lesson, as well, discussing how to understand and write about characters, conflict, symbolism, irony, and ambiguities in literature.

Assignment:
Students are to read a short novel and make notes for analysis. I am suggesting The Giver by Lois Lowry. Written for junior high and up, this controversial book has won more acclaim (ten prestigious awards) and stirred more challenges (efforts to ban) than perhaps any other work in recent times. Its delicate treatment of important but disturbing themes has made it a "must-read" in almost every curriculum in the nation, including among many Christian homeschooling programs. It is easy to read, yet difficult to digest. All of that makes it ideal for literary analysis at this level.

I am providing copies for students to borrow and parents to review. Any parents who object to The Giver may offer alternate titles for analysis.