This document summarizes the adversity and perseverance of three characters: Jonas from The Giver, Zebra from a story by Chaim Potok, and Victor from a story by Gary Soto. It describes the hardships each character faced - Jonas dealing with painful memories, Zebra becoming crippled in an accident, and Victor struggling in school. However, each was able to persevere through their challenges in different ways, such as Jonas leaving his community, Zebra improving through art class, and Victor helping a girl in French. The document reflects that all three displayed courage in overcoming difficulties.
2. Jonas’ Adversity
• On page 55, Jonas was nervous because he did not hear his number for his
assignment but he realized at the end of the ceremony he was getting one
of the most important jobs in the community. (Lowry, p.55)
• Jonas dealt with confusion from his training. He tried to understand why
they took color away from the community. (Lowry)
• Jonas’ adversity mainly came from the painful memories such as warfare.
Jonas seeing the guy on the floor begging for water, made him feel pain.
He experienced a disaster. Pg.112-113 (Lowry)
3. Jonas’ Perseverance
• Although Jonas dealt with painful
memories, the Giver balanced them out with
happy memories or memories full of joy.
(Lowry)
• Jonas ended up leaving his community with
Gabriel. (Lowry)
4. Zebra’s Adversity
• When Zebra was hit by a car, he became crippled.
• Zebra had to wear a brace on his leg to help him walk.
• Doctors said Zebra would never run like that again.
• The accident brought severe pain to his hand and arm. 1
1 Lowry, Lois. (1994) The Giver. Boston: McDougal Littell
5. Zebra’s Perseverance
• Zebra continued to go to school.
• Zebra met an art teacher, by the name of John Wilson.
• Zebra joined Mr. Wilson’s summer art class.
• Zebra learned a lot about art, and was forced to use both of his
hands.
• Art required Zebra to use his hands often, he eventually was able
to move parts of his disabled hand that he could not move
previously. 2
2Potok, Chaim. “ Zebra.” McDougal Little Literature. Boston:
McDougal Littell, 2009.
6. Victor’s Adversity
• Victor struggled with the French language.
• Victor struggled in Math class.
• Victor struggled getting Teresa, which he liked. 3
3Soto, Gary. “ Seventh Grade.” McDougal Little
Literature. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2009
7. Victor’s Perseverance
• Victor pretended he knew French to impress
Teresa.
• Victor tried scowling to get girls’ attention.
• Victor agreed to help Teresa in French. 4
4 Soto, Gary. “ Seventh Grade.” McDougal Little Literature. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2009
8. Reflection
• I think all three characters persevered through their
adversities well.
• Each character showed courage, throughout their
emotional stress and pain.
• All three characters became better people in the end.
• My favorite character of the three was Victor because
I thought he was funny. Also I’ve seen many boys
trying to impress girls in seventh grade
9. Work Cited
• Lowry, Lois. (1994) The Giver. Boston:
McDougal Littell
• Potok, Chaim. “ Zebra.” McDougal Little
Literature. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2009.
• www.google.com/images: Retrieved on
10/27/12
• Soto, Gary. “ Seventh Grade.” McDougal Little
Literature. Boston: McDougal Littell, 2009
