chapter 9

Jonas' Feelings of Apartness:

·         Jonas is feeling separate and different for the first time in his life. This is because he's about to begin his training, which is described as a solitary experience.

Post-Announcement Scene:

·         Jonas leaves the Auditorium after the Assignment ceremony with a folder in hand.

·         In the crowd, he looks for his family unit and friend, Asher.

·         People treat Jonas differently, moving aside and watching him, which makes him feel singled out.

Interaction with Asher:

·         Jonas invites Asher to ride back with him, and Asher agrees, though there's a moment of hesitation noticed by Jonas.

·         They exchange congratulations for their Assignments. Asher got applause for his assignment as well.

New Twelves:

·         Other children who are also twelve gather nearby, placing their folders into the carrying containers on their bikes.

Jonas' Family Interaction:

·         Jonas waves to his parents, who are waiting by their bicycles with Jonas' younger sister, Lily, already strapped in.

·         Lily watches Jonas solemnly, which Jonas notices.

Evening Meal:

·         The family has a quieter meal than usual.

·         Lily talks about her plans for volunteer work, particularly at the Nurturing Center.

·         Lily expresses excitement for the next day, but Jonas is less enthusiastic.

Pride and Confusion:

·         Jonas' parents express pride in his assignment, emphasizing its importance in the community.

·         Jonas questions the Chief Elder's mention of a previous selection that failed.

Previous Selection and the Receiver:

·         Jonas' father explains the failed previous selection, where an Eleven was passed over.

·         The selected individual's name is Not-to-Be-Spoken, indicating a high degree of disgrace.

·         Jonas is shocked and asks what happened to her, but his parents don't know.

Uncertainty and Discomfort:

·         Jonas' parents are uncomfortable discussing the previous selection and its aftermath.

Closing of the Scene:

·         The family is left in a somewhat somber silence, with Jonas' mother emphasizing Jonas' honor.

Key Themes:

·         Themes of honor, mystery, and the weight of responsibilities are introduced. The concept of names being designated Not-to-Be-Spoken carries significant meaning in this community.

Jonas' Folder Contents:

·         Jonas opens his folder, expecting to find thick printed pages like some of the other Twelves.

·         However, his folder is nearly empty, containing only a single printed sheet.

Contents of the Sheet:

·         The sheet outlines Jonas' new role: "Receiver of Memory."

·         It provides specific instructions and rules for Jonas to follow.

Instructions for Jonas:

1.  Report to the Annex behind the House of the Old at the end of school hours daily.

2.  Return to his dwelling after Training Hours each day.

3.  He is exempted from rules regarding rudeness and can ask any citizen questions.

4.  He must not discuss his training with anyone, including parents and Elders.

5.  He is prohibited from dream-telling.

6.  He should only seek medication for illness or injury unrelated to his training.

7.  He is not allowed to apply for release.

8.  He is permitted to lie.

Jonas' Reactions:

·         Jonas is stunned and worried about how these new responsibilities will affect his friendships and leisure activities.

·         He's concerned that there seems to be no time left for recreation in his schedule.

Exemption from Rudeness:

·         Jonas is surprised by this rule but realizes it's an option, not a requirement. He's uncomfortable with the idea of being impolite.

Prohibition of Dream-Telling:

·         Jonas doesn't find this rule troublesome, as he rarely dreams. He briefly considers how to handle it during family meals.

Restriction on Medication:

·         This rule makes Jonas uneasy, as citizens usually have access to medication through their parents. He recalls a previous incident where he needed relief of pain medication.

Overall Impact on Jonas:

·         Jonas is grappling with the significant changes and responsibilities that come with being the Receiver of Memory. He's contemplating how these rules will alter his daily life.

Medication for Crushed Finger:

·         Jonas recalls a previous incident where he crushed his finger in a door, resulting in severe pain.

·         Medication was quickly delivered to his dwelling, relieving the pain.

Category of "Unrelated to Training":

·         Jonas realizes that a crushed finger is considered "unrelated to training," so he would still be allowed to receive medication for such injuries.

Morning Pill:

·         Jonas takes a pill each morning, and he determines that this medication is also unrelated to his training, so he will continue to receive it.

Anticipation of Training Pain:

·         Jonas recalls the Chief Elder's warning about the indescribable pain he will experience during his training.

·         He struggles to imagine such pain without any medication.

Rule Number 7: Prohibition of Release:

·         Jonas doesn't react strongly to this rule, as he had never considered applying for release under any circumstances.

Training in Truthfulness:

·         Jonas reflects on the strict training he received from an early age about never lying.

·         He recalls a specific incident where he was corrected for using imprecise language, emphasizing the importance of precise speech.

Thoughts on Lying:

·         Jonas contemplates the idea of lying and realizes that nobody in the community lies, including himself, Asher, Lily, and his parents.

New Frightening Thought:

·         Jonas entertains the thought that other adults in the community, upon becoming Twelves, may have received the instruction that they are allowed to lie.

·         This idea is unsettling, as it challenges the fundamental truthfulness of the community.

Potential Dilemma with Asking Questions:

·         Jonas acknowledges that he now has the power to ask direct and potentially rude questions, but he realizes that even if he asks someone if they lie, he can't be certain if the answer is truthful.