chapter 11

Initial Sensation of Touch:

Jonas feels the old man's hands on his back.

He tries to relax and breathe evenly.

Change in Sensation:

The touch of the hands suddenly feels cold.

The air around him becomes cold, and even his breath feels cold.

He feels a breeze on his hands and back.

Unusual Sensations:

Jonas experiences tiny, soft, and painless sensations like feathers on his body and face.

He licks his lips and catches some of these sensations on his tongue.

Altered Perception:

Jonas has a dual consciousness. One part is aware that he's on a bed in the Annex room, while another part feels upright and seated on a hard surface holding a rope.

Enhanced Vision with Closed Eyes:

Although his eyes are closed, Jonas can "see" a swirling flurry of snow crystals around him.

Visible Breath:

Jonas's breath becomes visible in the cold air.

Snowy Landscape:

Jonas realizes he's in a high place and sees a vast expanse of snowy ground below him.

Sledging Experience:

Jonas understands that he's sitting on a sled.

The sled begins to move, and he realizes he's going downhill.

He comprehends that the sled is equipped with runners for gliding through the snow.

Enjoying the Sledding Experience:

Jonas feels immense joy and excitement as he speeds downward on the sled.

He revels in the sensations of speed, cold air, silence, and the feeling of balance.

Slowing Down and Stopping:

As the slope levels off, the sled's speed decreases.

Jonas pushes with his body to keep the sled moving, not wanting the ride to end.

Eventually, the piled snow obstructs the sled's thin runners, causing it to come to a stop.

Return to Reality:

Jonas takes a moment to catch his breath, still holding the rope.

He opens his ordinary eyes and realizes he's back on the bed, having not physically moved during the ride.

Conversation with the Old Man:

The old man asks Jonas how he feels after the experience.

Jonas admits he feels surprised.

Memory Transmission:

The old man mentions that transmitting the memory lightened his own burden a little.

Jonas asks if this means the old man no longer has the memory of the sled ride, which he confirms.

Explanation of Memories:

The old man explains that he has a vast collection of memories and can share them repeatedly without running out.

He suggests that they can potentially do it again another day.

Transition to the Next Experience:

The old man instructs Jonas to lie back down to continue the training.

Questions about Snow and Memories:

Jonas expresses curiosity about snow, sleds, and hills, and if they existed in the past.

The old man reveals that these are very distant memories, passed down through generations.

The Obsolescence of Snow:

The old man explains that climate control was implemented because snow made growing food and transportation difficult.

This led to the obsolescence of snow and other related elements when the society transitioned to Sameness.

Lack of Hills and Conveyance

·         The old man explains that hills made it difficult to transport goods using trucks and buses, slowing them down.

·         He gestures as if making the hills disappear, emphasizing the desire for uniformity or "sameness."

Jonas's Wish for Diversity

·         Jonas expresses a wish for occasional hills and transportation like trucks and buses.

·         He desires variety in the environment.

The Difference Between Honor and Power

·         The old man corrects Jonas, stating that he possesses honor, not power.

·         He emphasizes that honor and power are not the same.

Teaching Jonas About Climate

·         The old man decides to test Jonas's ability to receive information without being explicitly told.

·         He touches Jonas, and Jonas closes his eyes.

Experience of Warmth

·         Jonas feels warmth and moisture on his body, spreading from his back to his face.

·         The sensation is pleasant and comforting, different from the previous memory of sledding.

The Revelation: Sunshine

·         Without being told, Jonas perceives the word "sunshine" and understands that it comes from the sky.

Reflection on the Past

·         Jonas mentions the time "before Sameness" and "before Climate Control," referring to a different, more varied world.

Praise and Encouragement

·         The old man commends Jonas for receiving well and learning quickly.

·         He believes they've made good progress for the day.

Jonas's Question About Pain

·         Jonas recalls being told that the process would be painful but was surprised that he didn't feel any pain.

·         He asks the old man about this.

The Old Man's Explanation

·         The old man acknowledges that he deliberately started with pleasant memories to avoid immediate pain.

·         He assures Jonas that the painful part will come later but not yet.

Jonas's Bravery

·         Jonas asserts that he is brave and can handle the pain.

·         He sits up straighter, displaying confidence.

The Old Man's Approval

·         The old man acknowledges Jonas's bravery and compliments him.

Promise of One More Transmission

·         The old man mentions having enough energy for one more transmission, indicating that they'll continue their lessons.

Last Memory for the Day

·         The old man tells Jonas to lie down, explaining that this will be the last memory for the day.

·         Jonas follows the instruction happily, closing his eyes and preparing for the experience.

Receiving a Warm Memory

·         Jonas feels the old man's hands again and experiences the warm sensation of sunshine from a different time or consciousness.

·         He loses track of time, feeling like hours have passed even though it's only been a minute or two.

Painful Experience: Sunburn

·         Jonas starts to feel discomfort and realizes that his skin is stinging.

·         He moves his arm, causing sharp pain in the crease of his inner elbow.

·         Jonas tries to say something but the pain makes it difficult for him to speak and remember the word.

End of the Memory

·         The memory ends, and Jonas opens his eyes, still in discomfort.

·         He tells the old man about the pain and how he couldn't find the right word for it.

Understanding Pain

·         The old man explains that Jonas experienced sunburn.

·         Jonas expresses that while it hurt, he appreciates the experience because it helps him understand the concept of pain better.

Time to Go Home

·         The old man decides it's time for Jonas to leave.

·         They both stand up and walk to the center of the room.

Expressing Gratitude

·         Jonas puts his tunic back on and thanks the old man for his first day of memories.

·         The old man acknowledges Jonas with a nod, but he looks tired and a little sad.

Jonas's Question about the Old Man's Name

·         Jonas admits he doesn't know what to call the old man because he thought he was "The Receiver," but now Jonas is referred to as "The Receiver."

·         He asks the old man about his name.

The Giver's Response

·         The old man, now known as "The Giver," explains that Jonas can call him by this title.