Jonas
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT [LOVE] WOULDN'T WORK VERY WELL, AND THAT IT'S MUCH BETTER TO BE ORGANIZED THE WAY WE ARE NOW. I CAN SEE THAT IT WAS A DANGEROUS WAY TO LIVE.
Jonas Page 126
Character description
In the beginning of the book Jonas is a typical 11 year old boy in his community. He follows the rules exactly as stated. He is one of the few members in the community with "light" eyes. No further physical description was provided to the reader. He makes sure he is an exceptional citizen. Jonas' apologies are quick to come out when needed. He enjoys volunteering and experiencing new things. He is smart and seems to be more intelligent and curious than the rest of the elevens. He has precision of language. Jonas has the ability to see beyond only at a moments glimpse. However, Jonas does not understand that what is happening to him is that he is seeing color.
character development
Jones lives in a very strict community. At first, his community seems to be a great place to live. There is no suffering, pain, conflict, poverty, inequality, or war. Everyone is polite and nice to each other. They have everything they need; a family, a home, food and a job that meets their interest. However, they do not have color, freedom or the ability to love. Everyone and everything is controlled by the "the Elders", including the weather. When Jones told his parents about a dream he had involving Fiona ( a girl ), his parents told him that he was developing stirring and was put on a daily pill. According to his parents, everyone will eventually develop stirring and will have to take the pill.
During the December ceremony Jonas was selected to be the new Receiver of Memories. Once Jonas started his training as the Receiver of Memories he began receiving memories and realized how much he had been missing. Jonas becomes completely absorbed in the memories that the Giver was giving him. He began to see color, feel love and pain. Some of the memories were good and others were painful. His point of view of the community began to change. He realized that the community had avoided suffering but had paid a high price. He learns that children were born to birthmothers who never get to see them. If twins were born, one would be release. Once the children were born they were placed for first few months in the Nurturing Center. During the December ceremony the newborns would get a name and a family.
When the children are grown, the parents go to live in the House of Childless Adults. The community are made to believe that release is a good thing, something they should look forward to. When a member of the community no longer contributes to the community, they go to the House of Old until they are release. Release happens to the old, unacceptable newborns, and those who break three rules. As Jonas continues his training he learns that release means death. He also learns that his father performs "release" to unacceptable newborns. This realization hurts Jonas a lot. When he is informed that Gabe is going to be release, Jonas escaped the community to save Gabe's life and to release the memories to the community.
The society that he once thought of as perfect now seemed wrong.
tie in
I relate to Jonas because of his adventurous spirit. Jonas is willing to fight for what he loves and defends those that are hurting. Just like I do with my friends. Jonas likes to volunteer just like I do. He volunteered at the House of the Old and at the Nurturing Center. I have volunteered at food drives, school, a foster family agency, and church. I love to volunteer just like Jonas.