A district of society they live in.

Someone who is [Number] years of age.

A ceremony for Elevens, becoming a Twelve; where they are assigned jobs.

Though not clear, it is the act of being dismissed from society; either through death, or other form.

A newly born baby.

The main character of the story; he will be a Twelve soon.

Jonas’s little sister; she is a Seven.

He is Jonas’s father; his title is the Nurturer.

She is Jonas’s mother; she is part of the Department of Justice.

Jonas’s best friend; he is usually late for class.

Notice how all of the jobs are capitalized. The Speaker is capitalized as well, which leads me to believe that there is a person designated to speak on the speakers. Also, there seems to be a hierarchy (which was expected), since night-crew Nurturers are seen as a lesser job than Nurturers.

The way the students respond to Asher’s apology in unison, feels very robot-like, and artificial. Not only that, but other protocols, i.e. being late, demonstrates how strict the rules of this society are.

There are multiple communities, as revealed when Lily was confessing her feelings. Her mother’s response also suggests that the rules could differ from community to community. If that is true, it gives me an impression that the communities are test subjects in order to test out which rules are the most effective in creating a utopian community – although, I highly doubt that.

“It was one of the rituals, the evening telling of feelings.”; this leads me to believe that there are multiple rituals throughout different times of the day.

They don’t use words such as ‘boy’, or ‘girl’; instead they are referred to as ‘male’, or ‘female’.

There are always four members per family unit; a father, a mother, a male, and a female. The parents are not the biological parents of the children.

https://ritubhasin.com/blog/live-better-with-the-power-of-choice/#:~:text=Choices%20Matter 

Is an object given to newborns, which gets recycled when becoming an Eight. Many of them are soft stuffed imaginary creatures; Lily’s was an elephant, Jonas’s was a bear.

It is a ceremony to celebrate the turning of [Number], in December.

It is a ceremony that celebrates newborns turning into a One. They are assigned to their family unit, and given names during this ceremony.

From this ceremony onwards, children who become a Nine receive a bicycle, and now, are allowed to ride them. Females can now also remove their hair ribbons, which before, was mandatory unless sleeping.

A ceremony for Elevens, becoming a Twelve; where they are assigned jobs. It is the last of the Ceremonies.

Stores information of the citizens; like age, etc. 

A newly born baby who does not yet have a name (until then, they are referred to as numbers); there are alway 50 each year, if none had been released.

A section of the Ceremony of One, when newchildren are named.

Gabe, for short, is a newchild who has some difficulties. Jonas’s father is very affectionate about this boy, and is worried about the potential of his release.

Jonas’s aunt; on his father’s side.

Jonas’s father’s friend; she is a Doctor.

Jonas’s father’s friend; he is an Engineer. He designed the bridge that crosses the river to the west of town.

Not much is known about him; he is only known as the Receiver. He is the most important Elder.

Lily (Updated)

Jonas’s little sister; she is a Seven. Her nickname is Lily-Bily.

My Pre-Reading prediction was wrong; since Jonas's father broke a rule.

Children under the age of Nine are not allowed to ride bicycles, but this rule is almost always broken as the older sibling secretly teaches their younger ones how to ride.

When something goes to a committee for study, it takes a long time. People joke around that the members would become Elders by the time it was done.

There is an appeal process if one is dissatisfied with their assigned job, which will go to the committee for study.

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/5746269-Bill-Courtney-Quote-In-the-marathon-of-life-there-is-no-finish.jpg 

Birthmothers are females who are assigned the job of birthing newchildrens. During that time, they live luxuriously, playing games, eating delicious food, etc. But, they don’t even get to see newchildren, and after three births, they are to be Laborers for the rest of their lives.

A house one enters when they become old; it is where they will reside until they are released.

Gabe, for short, is a newchild with pale eyes. He has some difficulties. Jonas’s father is very affectionate about this boy, and is worried about the potential of his release.

A Ten who lives around the corner from Jonas’s family. She sometimes spends her volunteer hours at the Birthing Center.

In chapter 1, in the Additional Notes section, I predicted (or assumed) that there was a role assigned to speak on the speakers; a Speaker. This is confirmed when Jonas thought that Lily should hope to be assigned as Speaker, since she was never quiet.

Jonas’s father rode a bicycle as transportation when bringing Gabriel to the house. This could mean that cars, or other motorized vehicles do not exist (with the exception of aerial vehicles, as seen in Chapter 1).

Mirrors are rare in the community. It is not illegal, but most found that there was no real need for them. This means that a lot of people may not know what they look like.

Volunteer hours

Volunteer hours start when you are an Eight.

The apple was described as a perfect sphere. This could indicate that food is artificially grown, or produced.

People in the community do not seem to be able to see colors. The word ‘shade’ is used instead of color; i.e. “ . . . about the same shade as his own tunic.”

https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/everyone%E2%80%99s-different-what-parts-brain-make-our-personalities-so-unique 

https://www.solutionstherapy.com.au/the-importance-of-individuality/ 

Stores information of the citizens; like age, volunteer hours, etc.

The room where people are released. There is a special door that those who are released, walks through. No one knows exactly what happens. Childrens are not allowed to come and spectate the release; Larissa thinks it is because of the lack of space.

Someone who passed the age requirement to work. They reside in the House of the Old.

A male Eleven; he spent nearly his entire four volunteer years in the Rehabilitation Center. Some say he is as skilled as the Rehabilitation Directors. He even developed new machines and methods to hasten rehabilitation.

A female Eleven; she is quiet, polite, but also quite fun.

An Old woman whom Jonas helped bathe at the House of the Old. She is not fond of public speaking.

A former instructor of Elevens, member of the Planning Committee; he was the one who did the landscaping design for the Central Plaza. He has been released the morning of the day Chapter 4 takes place.

A former Birthmother; also worked in Food Production. She did not have a family unit. She was released from old age.

It is against the rules to brag, even if by accident. It is punishable by gentle chastisement.

Each bicycle has a nametag in order to identify the owner. The robes in the House of the Old also have nametags. This leads me to believe that perhaps everything is labeled with a nametag to avoid confusion.

In the community, usually, instead of ‘boy’, or ‘girl’, they would be referred to as ‘male’, or ‘female’, but for Larissa (and the other woman, in the House of the Old, who was blind), she was referred to as ‘woman’.

It is against the rules for one to look at another’s nakedness; unless they were newchildren, or the Old.

https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/why-is-critical-thinking-important/ 

https://www.makemebetter.net/importance-of-questioning/ 

Stirrings is referring to the feeling of love, or the likes, in the community. It starts as children enter puberty, and they must start taking pills every morning, until they enter the House of the Old, in order to control their Stirrings.

In chapter 1, in the Additional Notes section, I predicted (or assumed) that there were multiple rituals for different times of the day. This has been confirmed true, when in this chapter, Jonas’s family talks about their dreams in the morning ritual.

https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/change-is-good/ 

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/7098218-Lazarus-Takawira-Quote-Freedom-is-not-a-privilege-for-some-but-a.jpg 

Refer to Chapters 1, and 2 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

The exact definition is unknown. You can apply for Elsewhere, and be released.

A ceremony for when someone is lost (dead). The whole community murmurs the name of the lost for an entire day, gradually softer, and softer in volume.

A ceremony where one becomes a Seven; they receive a jacket with buttons in front to indicate independence, whereas, Fours, Fives, and Sixes all wore jackets that fastened down the back in order to learn interdependence.

A ceremony where one becomes a Eight; they receive a jacket with smaller buttons, and a pocket, which indicates that they are mature enough to keep track of their own belongings.

From this ceremony onwards, children who become a Nine receive a bicycle, and now, are allowed to ride them. This is a symbol of slowly moving out into the community, from their protective family unit. Females can now also remove their hair ribbons, which before, was mandatory unless sleeping.

A ceremony where one becomes a Ten; their hair is cut into a shorter style; females lose their braids, and males’ hair take on a more manly style, exposing their ears.

A ceremony where one becomes a Eleven; they receive new clothes. This ceremony is underwhelming compared to the rest, as at this point, they are only waiting to be Twelve.

It takes heavy consideration to be matched with a spouse; it sometimes takes months or years. All factors like intelligence, energy level, interests, etc, have to be taken into account.

As the name suggests, it is assigning newchildren to family units.

Asher’s little sister. She was assigned to Asher’s family unit the year before.

Thea is a female Eleven, who went up to receive a newchild, during the Ceremony of One.

Fiona’s little brother. He became a One at this year’s Ceremony of One.

Caleb was a newchild, assigned to a couple who lost their first Caleb when he was a Four.

A newchild who became a One at this year’s Ceremony of One; although not a direct replacement, he shares his name with an Old who has been recently released.

A Nine who lives in the dwelling next to Jonas’s; he is quite an awkward child.

According to Asher’s story, the communities are separated by rivers – or at least their community and of another one.

It doesn’t seem as if citizens of the community have last names, and instead all have unique names. This makes sense since names are assigned, instead of chosen by their parents. This is evident when they recall the time Caleb was lost. During the Ceremony of Loss, they all chanted Caleb’s name, meaning that there must be only one Caleb.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_of_life 

https://bigthink.com/thinking/value-human-life/ 

The leader of the community, who is elected every ten years. Her gender is female, though it is unsure whether she is referred to as a woman, or a female. 

A new female Eleven; she is shy. Her number is nineteen, like Jonas, so for a few hours, he and Jonas share the same number.

The main character of the story; he has pale eyes. He is number Nineteen.

Jonas’s best friend; he is usually late for class, and is quite funny. He speaks very fast. He is number Four. He was assigned as Assistant Director of Recreation.

A new female Twelve; she is quiet, polite, but also quite fun. She is number Eighteen. She was assigned as Caretaker of the Old.

A new female Twelve; she is number One. She was assigned as Fish Hatchery Attendant.

A new female Twelve; she is number Two. She was assigned as Birthmother. She was nice, somewhat lazy, and strong.

A new male Twelve; he is number Three. He was assigned as Instructor of Sixes.

A new male Twelve; he is serious, and not much fun, according to Jonas. He is number Twenty. Jonas couldn't hear what his assignment was, as he didn’t feel well after the Chief Elder had skipped him.

In Chapter 2, I predicted that the Receiver is the one who governs the community; that is false. It is the Chief Elder who is the leader of the community.

Everyone is assigned numbers at birth; it is not discarded after the Naming, however. They must know their numbers, as they are arranged that way in the Auditorium during the Ceremonies, and also called up to the stage by their numbers. Their full numbers are [their age]-[their number]. So for Jonas, he would be Eleven-nineteen. Parents would usually call their children by numbers if they are misbehaving. The lower the number, means that he or she was born earlier.

There can only be one Assignment per person, per group. Jonas was glad that the Fish Hatchery Attendant was taken.

Punishment for little children was a system which used smacks to discipline them. They used a thin, flexible wand.

Badges

After the Assignment, they receive badges.

There is a brief mention of a group leader; “He saw a worried look on the face of his group leader.”

https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/overcoming-nervousness 

https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect 

https://neurohealthah.com/blog/types-of-dyslexia/ 

Not all at once; through multiple steps.

Gradually increasing in loudness; or, the highest point reached in gradually increasing loudness.

Cheerful, self-confident

The ability to see the mysterious changes. I suspect that it is color that he sees. The cover of the book, where a man is in monochrome, along with a teared part with color, accurately back up my hypothesis.

The main character of the story; he has pale eyes. He is a Twelve; his number is Nineteen. He has been selected to be the next Receiver of Memory.

Not much is known about him; he is only known as the Receiver. He is the most important Elder. He is a bearded man with pale eyes.

“Our community has only one Receiver . . . ”, this could mean that other communities have multiple, or it could just be to emphasize the importance of the role; it is the most honored in the community. The Receiver-in-training is to be trained alone with the current Receiver, and is not to be observed (which is stated in the rules). The qualities required of a Receiver are the following: Intelligence, Integrity, Courage, Wisdom, and the Capacity to See Beyond.

People in the community have only faced minor physical pain; which is nothing compared to what Jonas must experience as part of training to become the Receiver of Memory.

Everyone murmured Jonas’s name, faster, and louder, the way they did with the new Caleb, as a way of accepting him as the new Receiver.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/07/03/optimistists-live-longer-why/ 

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/31785-Helen-Keller-Quote-Optimism-is-the-faith-that-leads-to-achievement.jpg 

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/6361490-Helen-Keller-Quote-Life-is-either-a-daring-adventure-or-nothing-at.jpg 

An additional joined part of a building.

Free or released from some requirement, or obligation, which others are subject to.

Each Twelves are – along with their Assignment, and badge – given a folder that listed the rules and instruction of their Assignment.

It was a female Eleven who had been selected ten years ago. She was never seen again. Her name was designated Not-to-Be-Spoken, and would never be used again for a newchild. This indicated the highest degree of disgrace.

It seems that Jonas still attends school; in his folder, it stated, “Go immediately at the end of school hours each day to the Annex entrance . . . ”. Could it be a misinterpretation on my part, where they meant to say, the same time as when school would have ended?

The speaker can be used as a communication device, similar to that of a phone. Jonas used it to notify his mother when he had crushed his fingers in a door.

https://www.liberties.eu/en/stories/social-exclusion/43579 

https://defeatthelabel.com/is-social-exclusion-bullying/ 

A book containing the rules of the community; it is in every dwelling.

It seems that Elsewhere means exactly what it sounds like: elsewhere. It is referring to anywhere outside of their community.

No doors in the community were locked; except for a room in the Annex, where the Receiver was.

There are books in every dwelling: a dictionary; a volume containing descriptions of every office, factory, building, and committee; and the Book of Rules. Those were the books Jonas only knew of, or thought have ever existed, until entering the Receiver's room.

Elders wore special clothing.

The Old were always given the highest respect.

There is no snow in the community.

The speaker in the Receiver’s room has the ability to be turned off.

https://history.wisc.edu/undergraduate-program/history-careers/why-history/ 

https://amysuemccune.com/soft-skills/why-mistakes-are-important/ 

When they became a communist, collective, and “utopian” society.

The Giver is what Jonas, and the Receiver refers to the Receiver; to not be confused with Jonas, the new Receiver.

When receiving the memories, they fully experience it; sight, touch, etc.

In this chapter, the Giver said, “I started you with memories of pleasure. My previous failure gave me the wisdom to do that.”; this is referring to the female Eleven who had been selected ten years ago.

https://www.simplypsychology.org/memory.html 

https://www.npr.org/2014/08/16/340170478/lois-lowry-says-the-giver-was-inspired-by-her-fathers-memory-loss  

Refer to Chapter 10 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Gentle warning.

A female Twelve; she has red hair. She is quiet, polite, but also quite fun. She is number Eighteen. She was assigned as Caretaker of the Old.

It is a weapon used to punish little children. It is also used to punish the Old.

It seems that Jonas can re-experience the memories he has been transmitted.

“We've never completely mastered Sameness. I suppose the genetic scientists are still hard at work trying to work the kinks out. Hair like Fiona's must drive them crazy.”; Fiona’s hair is red, but the genetic scientists wouldn't know unless they can see colors themselves.

https://www.livescience.com/32559-why-do-we-see-in-color.html 

It’s a type of a flower; its color ranges from white, to pink, to red, to purple.

To be inflicted serious damage, or injury.

Bending, twisting, curving, etc.

Rarely.

Adults who have fulfilled their duties to raise children, and who no longer need family units. They live with each other.

Pumpkins were trucked in from the agricultural fields beyond the community.

The Giver seemed to know of Gabriel; and Jonas told him of Gabriel’s name, which he isn’t supposed to know.

It is considered rude to touch someone who is not part of your family unit.

Common animals today, like elephants, are considered imaginary creatures. This is probably due to animal extinction, or the lack of animals in the community. This was mentioned in Chapter 2, when first introducing us to comfort objects; but at that time, I misinterpreted it as: imaginary creatures that resemble animals.

The Committee don’t want change; they like the order, predictability, and painlessness of the community.

When the previously selected Receiver ten years ago had failed, all of her memories were released into a place where memories existed before Receivers. And everyone had access to them.

From Jonas’s experience, the other communities have slightly different styles of dwellings, and schedules for schools.

https://www.sdstate.edu/ness-school-management-and-economicsblog/importance-taking-risks 

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8e/c6/06/8ec606efa3070871628deecbdd6388c8.jpg 

Refer to Chapters 1, and 10 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Making one feel stronger, more energetic, etc.

A substance that brings insensitivity to pain.

Medication in the form of anesthetic ointment, pill, or sometimes injections, to – as the name suggests – relieve the pain.

An Old woman whom Jonas once helped bathe at the House of the Old. She was recently released.

When twins are born, they must release one of them. Usually the smaller of the two. This also applies for triplets, quadruplets, etc (I assume).

Gabriel was able to receive Jonas’s memory. This could mean one of two things: one, everyone can receive memories; or two, pale eyes can receive memories. The latter seems more likely.

https://www.snexplores.org/article/owww-science-pain 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4301417/ 

https://www.americanscientist.org/article/understanding-the-butterfly-effect 

Refer to Chapters 1, and 10 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Deformed.

The headgear used to control a horse.

A four legged animal (usually a horse) moves at a fast pace (faster than walking).

Dried out, extremely thirsty.

Sat, or lied, in an awkward way.

Grossly, bizarrely.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war 

https://warpp.info/en/m1/articles/effects-of-war 

Spread through.

The area in front of a fireplace.

Enjoying oneself to the fullest; in a luxurious way.

The Old never left the House of the Old, for they were very well taken care of.

By the fact that Jonas does not recognize Christmas, there is no Christmas in the community.

https://hanleyfoundation.org/resources/educational-tools/the-importance-of-family/ 

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/2045248-George-Bernard-Shaw-Quote-A-happy-family-is-but-an-earlier-heaven.jpg 

A feeling of annoyance, frustration, irritation, etc.

A female Eleven who was playing with Asher, and other children in the playing field.

The main character of the story; he has pale eyes. He is a Twelve; his number is Nineteen. His pet name is Jonas-bonus. He has been selected to be the next Receiver of Memory.

On a holiday, rules of order are disregarded. Adults do not go to work, and children do not go to school. Substitute Laborers do all the necessary tasks, and would be given a different holiday.

Just as a side note, unscheduled holidays, I imagine, feels like, and is essentially the equivalent of snow days in the community.

https://www.happify.com/hd/the-power-of-emotions/ 

https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00069 

Lowis Lowry’s father suffered memory loss, which was the reason that inspired her to write this book. It seems that her experience seems to reflect on the Giver’s own pain, as he struggles to tell Jonas about what truly happened to Rosemary, his previous successor. 

https://www.npr.org/2014/08/16/340170478/lois-lowry-says-the-giver-was-inspired-by-her-fathers-memory-loss 

Earnestly, desperately.

The former selected Receiver-to-be who failed ten years ago. She was a female. Within five weeks of training, she applied for a release because she could not bear the pain. Her name is never to be spoken again, nor ever to be given to a newchild.

https://kidshelpphone.ca/ 

Call: 1-800-668-6868

Text: 686868

https://talksuicide.ca/ 

Call: 1-833-456-4566

Text: 45645

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm 

An object, or an area used to store, or contain something.

Similar to the Hall of Open Records, it’s a place where things are recorded. In the Hall of Closed Records, there are records of private ceremonies not available to the public.

Newborns got shots. It is unclear whether they continue to get more as they grow up, but I think it could be another way of suppressing emotions; or maybe, a vaccination for illnesses (like in the real world).

Trash is disposed of into a chute, which – I assume – leads to a garbage area.

What release actually is, is death. Death by some clear liquid injected into someone.

https://enlightio.com/why-is-morality-important 

https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/moral-emotions 

Refer to Chapters 6, and 17 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Regretful, sorrowful.

A female Six with pale eyes.

The former selected Receiver-to-be who failed ten years ago. She was a female. Within five weeks of training, she applied for a release because she could not bear the pain. Her name is never to be spoken again, nor ever to be given to a newchild. She is the Giver’s daughter.

Hearing music.

It seems that Jonas’s father can lie. Which means that perhaps all adults are given permission to lie.

So it seems that there are vehicles other than bicycles. Just not available for anyone.

The Receiver visits other communities often; it was a part of his responsibilities.

Ceremonies are not to be disrupted, even with a cause of serious concern.

When memories are transmitted, they cannot be returned to the previous owner.

https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/change-is-good/ 

https://www.mindstoretraining.com.au/change-is-the-law-of-life-2/ 

Refer to Chapter 2 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Tired either, or both, mentally, and physically, in a nervous, or worried manner.

Gabe, for short, is a newchild with pale eyes, and golden curls. He had some difficulties, and was planned to be released. Jonas manages to prevent that by sneaking Gabe with him, in his journey to Elsewhere.

Some bicycles, like Jonas’s father’s, have a child seat at the back.

Planes use heat-seeking devices.

https://www.fashionpotluck.com/lifestyle/the-benefits-of-moving-on-and-letting-go-of-the-past 

https://quotefancy.com/media/wallpaper/3840x2160/4682353-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Quote-You-don-t-have-to-see-the-whole.jpg 

Refer to Chapters 2, 5, and 13 for topics similar to that mentioned in Theme.

Danger.

Carefully; with order.

Animals still exist outside of the community; they are not extinct. Jonas and Gabriel saw birds, deer, fishes, and even a fox.

It seems that the communities do not span across huge amounts of distances. I imagined it, in the smallest case, a medium-sized country. It seems that Climate Control, and animal control happens only within the community.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perseverance-important-quality-because-you-face-challenges-gupta 

https://brilliantio.com/why-is-perseverance-important/ 

A lack of energy; sluggish, unenthusiastic.

The meaning of ‘Elsewhere’ seems to differ from context to context. Elsewhere in the community is referred to as somewhere outside of their own community; while in truth, it represents death, and the world of the afterlife, if there is one. While for Jonas, and the Giver, it represents somewhere outside of the communities’ influences, like the place Jonas saw at the end. A place where people have freedom of choice, and the traditions of the past lives on.

There seems to be inhabitants Elsewhere, free from the influences of the communities. They still celebrate Christmas, as we do.

“This was something that he could keep. It was a memory of his own.”, I wonder what this means. A memory of his own. I think it was foreshadowed in Chapter 12, “Again and again, as he slept, he had slid down that snow-covered hill. Always, in the dream, it seemed as if there were a destination: a something — he could not grasp what — that lay beyond the place where the thickness of snow brought the sled to a stop.”. Could Jonas have predicted it? Either way, I find it to be very poetic, how he comes full circle back to his first memory, and so I think it’s a great addition.

The things Jonas experienced near the end could be proof that he died, and is simply dreaming or hallucinating of what he had wished had happened. It’s one way to interpret it – and I think it would have been a great ending – but after further research, based on the sequels, it doesn’t seem to be the case. But if it was, then ‘Elsewhere’ would only have one meaning, and that would be the world in the afterlife.