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The Giver
Lois Lowry

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Table of Contents

Summary and Analysis

Chapters 9-10
In Chapter 9, Jonas realizes that his life will never
be the same as a result of having been selected as
the new Receiver of Memory. At the conclusion of
the December Ceremony, Jonas immediately feels
"separate, different." People move aside for him to
pass, and his peers are unsure of how to act toward
him. Even his best friend, Asher, appears
uncomfortable in Jonas' presence. His peers'
reactions cause Jonas to feel very much alone and
isolated. For the first time in his life, Jonas does not
feel the same as everyone else. Lowry describes
Jonas' demeanor as uneasy, nervous, and worried,
suggesting that he is quite unhappy.

Jonas questions his parents about the last person

who was selected to be the Receiver of Memory.
They tell him that the person was a female, but they
don't know what happened to her, only that her
name is "Not-to-Be-Spoken." Jonas knows that
something terrible happened to the girl because a
"Not-to-Be-Spoken" name means total humiliation
and dishonor. Jonas' parents become silent, making
no further comments about the previously selected
Receiver. Jonas now seems isolated even from his
family.

The only similarity between Jonas' Selection and

everyone else's Assignment is the folder of
instructions that each Twelve receives for his or her
lifelong career. Lowry uses rhetorical ques-tions —
questions to which oftentimes there are no answers
— to portray Jonas' feelings of disbelief after he
reads his list of instructions. For example, Jonas
wonders, "What would happen to his friendships?
His mindless hours playing ball, or riding his bike
along the river?" He has no choice but to do what is
expected of him, but he feels that his childhood is
slipping away.

Jonas' instructions do not allow any time for

recreational activities, and what is most shocking to
Jonas is that some of the instructions directly
contradict the rules that he has followed
throughout his life. Because behavior in his
community is based on respect and politeness, he
has never dared to ask questions or be rude, but his
instructions indicate that now he can. He is not to
discuss his dreams or accept medication for pain
that has to do with his training. Jonas feels scared
when he thinks about the "indescribable" pain that
will be inflicted upon him during his training.
However, he doesn't really know what pain is, for
pain is "beyond his comprehension." And he can lie.
Jonas has never intentionally lied. He recalls an
incident when he used the word "starving" rather
than "hungry." Accused of lying, he was told that no
one in the community was, or ever would be,
starving. Precision of language prohibits any lying
and controls inappropriate thoughts. For the first
time, Jonas is faced with the possibility that his
entire community could be based on a lie, and every
single person could be lying. And if people are lying,
then the community itself and its utopian ideals are
also lies.

Along with the obvious changes in Jonas' life, such

as the nameplate that is changed on his bicycle by
the Maintenance Crew during the night, Lowry
reveals details about the current Receiver's
accommodations, called the Annex, that indicate
that Jonas' life has dramatically changed and will
never be the same. Jonas is surprised to find that
the doors at the Annex can be locked. He is unaware
of any other doors in the community that lock. Also,
The Receiver's furniture is different: It has curved
lines and is decorative. In all other dwellings in the
community, the furniture is the same: functional.
The fabrics on the current Receiver's chairs and bed
are luxurious, and, to Jonas' amazement, the walls
are lined from top to bottom with shelves holding
thousands of books. He hadn't known that so many
books existed. The only books he knew about were
his school books, the training manuals, reference
books, and, of course, the Book of Rules. By limiting
the citizens' access to books, the Committee of
Elders is able to exert control over the community.
Allowing people to be exposed to different ideas,
places, or characters found in books jeopardizes
Sameness; books represent knowledge, which in
turn represents individual freedom to make choices
in life.

Jonas meets the current Receiver of Memory and

notices that The Receiver's eyes are pale like his
own (and like Gabe's, although Jonas doesn't think
of this similarity). When The Receiver tells Jonas
that The Receiver's job is to transmit all the
memories of the world to Jonas, Jonas doesn't
understand because concepts having to do with
"world" and "memories" are unknown to him. He
knows "only us, only now." Here, Lowry introduces a
major theme in the novel: the awareness that
people must have about the interdependence
between human beings, the environment, and the
world. The current Receiver explains to Jonas how
the future is developed based on wisdom gained
from memories of the past.

The Receiver tells Jonas that the numerous

apologies that are expected in the community and
the rote acceptance-of-apology response are
unnecessary between them. Lowry demonstrates
how language is used to control the people by
pointing out that the numerous apologies and
trained response are automatic for the citizens in
the community. The politeness that people exhibit
toward each other is an illusion of social order.
Although people appear to be considerate of each
other, they really aren't sorry for their actions
because their responses have been trained. Blindly
obedient, they apologize and accept apologies
without thinking because they are following the
rules. Here, Lowry emphasizes an important theme
regarding the importance of maintaining
individuality: When people stop thinking for
themselves and blindly follow a group, bad things
can — and usually do — happen.

Lowry concludes Chapter 10 with a mood of

suspense as the current Receiver turns off the
loudspeaker, which, as another means of controlling
people, cannot be turned off in family dwellings. He
tells Jonas to take off his tunic and to lie face down
on the bed. Jonas is about to receive his first
memory.

Glossary

solemnly seriously, with awe.

exempted freed; not responsible.

relief-of-pain medication medication that is

dispensed to community members to relieve pain so
that no one in the community suffers.

integral necessary.

alcove a small area set off from a larger room or

space.

conspicuous noticeable.

embossed Embossing is a process in which letters

or shapes are physically raised — for example,
words in books printed in Braille; if you run your
finger over the embossed letters or shapes, you can
feel their outline.

runners blades used to glide over a surface, usually

ice.

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