chapter 10

Events at the House of the Old:

·         Fiona and Jonas arrive and park their bicycles.

·         Fiona expresses nervousness despite her familiarity with the location.

Conversation about Changes:

·         Jonas reminds Fiona that everything has changed, including the nameplates on their bikes.

·         Fiona finds humor in the change of nameplates indicating their new status.

Fiona's Haste and Plans:

·         Fiona expresses a desire not to be late for her appointment.

·         She suggests riding home with Jonas if they finish at the same time.

Jonas' Arrival at the Annex:

·         Jonas heads toward the Annex, a small wing attached to the back of the building.

·         He notices a buzzer on the wall and uses it to announce his arrival.

Interaction with the Attendant:

·         The Attendant acknowledges Jonas through the speaker and unlocks the door.

·         The lobby is described as small, with a desk and a female Attendant working on papers.

Respect towards the Receiver:

·         The Attendant stands up to greet Jonas, showing him respect as the Receiver of Memory.

·         Jonas requests to be called by his name rather than his title.

Explanation of Privacy Measures:

·         The Attendant unlocks the door to the room on the left.

·         She explains that the locks are for the Receiver's privacy and concentration.

Community Joke about the Department of Bicycle Repair:

·         Jonas laughs at a community joke about the Department of Bicycle Repair being frequently relocated.

·         The Attendant reassures Jonas that there is nothing dangerous in the room.

Importance of Punctuality:

·         The Attendant hints at the importance of punctuality, indicating that the Receiver doesn't like to be kept waiting.

Setting:

·         Jonas enters a comfortably furnished living area.

·         The furniture is practical, sturdy, and clearly defined in function.

·         Differences in décor compared to Jonas' own dwelling are noted.

Description of Furnishings:

·         Upholstered chairs and sofa have thicker, more luxurious fabrics.

·         Table legs are slender, curved, with small carved decorations.

·         Bed is in an alcove, draped with a splendid cloth embroidered with intricate designs.

Books:

·         In Jonas' dwelling, only necessary reference volumes are present (dictionary, community volume, Book of Rules).

·         This room has walls completely covered by bookcases filled with hundreds, perhaps thousands of books.

·         Titles are embossed in shiny letters.

Jonas' Reaction to the Books:

·         Jonas is amazed and can't imagine what the thousands of pages contain.

·         He wonders if there are rules beyond those governing the community.

·         He ponders if there are more descriptions of offices, factories, and committees.

Introduction to the Receiver of Memory:

·         Jonas approaches the man sitting by the table and introduces himself.

·         The man already knows Jonas and welcomes him as the Receiver of Memory.

·         The man is recognized as the Elder who stood out at the Ceremony and is dressed in special Elder clothing.

Jonas' Apology and Introduction:

·         Jonas apologizes for his lack of understanding.

·         He explains that he thought the man was the Receiver of Memory and that he was only selected yesterday.

·         Jonas emphasizes that he doesn't feel like anything yet.

The Receiver's Response:

·         The man looks at Jonas thoughtfully, showing interest, curiosity, concern, and perhaps some sympathy.

·         He eventually speaks, acknowledging Jonas as The Receiver and stating that he has held the position for a very long time.

Receiver's Appearance:

·         The man is described as wrinkled with tired yet piercing, unusually light eyes.

Receiver's Long Tenure:

·         The man mentions he has been the Receiver for a very, very long time.

Receiver's Appearance and Age:

·         The man's flesh around his eyes is darkened into shadowed circles.

·         Jonas observes that the man looks very old and responds with respect.

The Receiver's Aging:

·         The man explains that his appearance is a result of the job aging him, though he has more time left.

·         He mentions that the previous selection for Receiver failed ten years ago.

Purpose of Selection:

·         The man expresses pleasure at Jonas being selected and acknowledges the need for training.

·         He emphasizes the difficulty and importance of their work.

Training Session:

·         The man instructs Jonas to sit down, gesturing towards a nearby chair.

·         He shares his own experience of being selected as a Twelve and coming to the same room for training.

·         The man acknowledges his own aging and tiredness, comparing himself to Jonas.

Permission to Ask Questions:

·         The man allows Jonas to ask questions, admitting he may not be perfect in describing the process.

·         Jonas expresses his understanding and willingness to ask questions.

Jonas' Thoughts and Questions:

·         Jonas has numerous questions in his mind but refrains from asking them immediately.

·         He is aware of the significance and sensitivity of the training.

Jonas' Request for the Man's Life Story:

·         Jonas tentatively expresses interest in hearing about the man's life and memories.

·         He quickly apologizes for the interruption, but the man dismisses the need for apologies.

The Man's Explanation of His Role:

·         The man simplifies his role, stating that he is to transmit all the memories he holds, specifically memories of the past.

·         Jonas expresses his interest but also confusion about the importance of this task.

Misunderstanding Clarified:

·         Jonas suggests that he could listen to stories from the man's childhood in his recreation time.

·         The man corrects Jonas, stating that it's not about the man's past or childhood, but rather the memories of the entire world.

The Scope of the Task:

·         The man emphasizes that the memories he must transmit include those from before Jonas, before himself, and even generations before the previous Receiver.

Jonas' Confusion and Questions:

·         Jonas is struggling to grasp the concept of "the whole world" and "generations before him."

·         He expresses his difficulty in understanding and questions his own intelligence.

·         Jonas thought there was only their community and the present moment.

The Receiver's Explanation:

·         The man expands on the concept, explaining that there is much more beyond their community, including Elsewhere.

·         He received these memories when he was selected, and he re-experiences them in the room to gain wisdom and shape the future.

·         The man expresses the weight of carrying these memories.

Snow Analogy:

·         The man uses an analogy of sledding downhill through deep snow to describe the experience of transmitting memories.

·         Initially exhilarating, it becomes harder as the snow accumulates, slowing down the sled.

·         Jonas doesn't understand the analogy, and the man realizes that Jonas doesn't know what snow, a sled, or downhill means.

Preparation for the Transmission:

·         The man instructs Jonas to move to the bed and lie face down after removing his tunic.

·         Jonas complies, feeling the soft cloth covering the bed.

Surprising Action with the Speaker:

·         The man turns off the speaker in the room, a significant act that astonishes Jonas.

Transmission of Memory:

·         The man places his hands on Jonas's bare back, informing him that he is going to transmit the memory of snow.