Allusion in The Giver

In Lois Lowry's The Giver, Jonas, the main character, plays a game of catch using an apple.  Initially, this scene may seem unimportant; however, if we take the time to go deeper, we can recognize and appreciate Lowry's use of allusion.  When given the chance to pause and think about what the apple could symbolize, it didn't take too long for one or more students to see the allusion to the biblical Tree of Knowledge and its forbidden fruit.  This was the starting point for a discussion of all the "forbidden" knowledge that Jonas receives from the Giver.  Students worked with a partner to list examples which were then shared with the class and displayed on the board.