The Giver: Pg 65-107

I feel like this was a longer reading, but the book is getting really good so I just read a lot.

From the very first day that Jonah spends with the Giver, it is clear that these are very special circumstances. The receiver has hundreds of books, which is not allowed in other areas of the community. He can also lock his door and turn off his speaker, which is also not typically allowed. The Giver explains that Jonah will receive memories from the past. The first memory that Jonah receives is of snow, and he receives it when the Giver puts his hands on Jonah's back and transmits the memory to him.

This is where the memory of the apple comes back. Although it is not specifically stated, the reader can figure out that in Jonah's world, everything is black and white. There are no colors. However, the Giver tells Jonah that he is beginning to see the color red (he saw it in the apple, his friend's hair, and the sled from his snow memory).  The Giver tells Jonah that the society let go of colors in order to gain more control. Jonah is understandably frustrated as he begins to see more colors in his daily life. He wishes other people could see changes and make choices for themselves, but he also needs to realize that the choices were made for them in order to ensure that no one makes the wrong decision.

The Giver also tells Jonah that he tried to train a Receiver ten years ago, but she failed. And when she did, all the memories she had received were released into the community, causing nothing but problems.

I understand why the society has eliminated choices, because by eliminating choices they also eliminate a lot of problems. However, it stinks that Jonah can see all the power out there but yet cannot completely grasp it. By limiting the society so much, they are clearly limiting the true potential of the people.