Messenger (The Giver, #3)

by Lois Lowry

But somehow the small red-painted sled had become a symbol of courage and hope. Leader was young but he represented those things. He had never tried to go back, never wanted to.

there were communities everywhere, sprinkled across the vast landscape of the known world, in which people suffered. Not always from beatings and hunger, the way he had. But from ignorance. From not knowing. From being kept from knowledge.

That’s why we have the Museum, Matty, to remind us of how we came, and why: to start fresh, and begin a new place from what we had learned and carried from the old.”

Things seem more when you’re little. They seem bigger, and distances seem farther.

But now it doesn’t seem as far or as long. Because I’m older, and bigger, and I’ve gone back and forth again and again, and I know the way, and I’m not scared. So it seems shorter.”

poetry, and language, and how we use it to remind ourselves of how our lives should be lived . . .”

“For a woman,” he pointed out. “People do strange things.”

Painters had preserved such pain through beauty.

He floated above, weightless, watching his human self labor and writhe. He gave himself to it willingly, traded himself for all that he loved and valued, and felt free.

CLASSROOM DISCUSSION Many of the people from Village came from communities that were built around secrets. Why does Leader believe that secrets cause sadness? How does he promote an open society? How did fear drive the people of Village away from their original homes? Discuss how Seer and Leader depend on each other to deal with their fears. Explain why books are a symbol of freedom to Leader. Discuss what Leader means when he says “books were a kind of forgiveness.” (p. 29) From what and by whom is he forgiven? Leader is in charge of giving people their true names. Why does Matty think that Ramon should be called Boaster or Gloater? Discuss why Matty wants the name Messenger. How does Healer best describe Matty? Debate whether Matty would have been proud of his name. How does the government of Village promote a sense of community? Diversity is very important to the inhabitants of Village. Discuss how a diverse community creates a better understanding of mankind. Contrast Matty’s former community to Village. How does Matty feel safer among the people of Village? What is Blind Man’s role in Matty’s life? How do they serve one another? Matty is a boy when he comes to live with Blind Man in Village. At what point does Matty become a man? Debate whether Matty wants to bring Kira to Village for himself or for Blind Man. Matty likes it when Blind Man calls him son. How might Kira complete Blind Man’s family? Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the community. Which character ...