Life With Memories

Summary

Jonas comes another ordinary day to the Annex room and receives the painful memory of war, which the Giver later regretted giving Jonas;  Jonas, though he knows it is his job, didn't want to go back to receive more memories.  The next days, Jonas receives more memories, this time happy ones, like horses (which he realizes he really likes), museums, birthday parties and much more. The Giver then transmits his favorite memory to Jonas, a holiday with a family (new concept to Jonas: grandparents), gifts, warmth and love, a feeling he enjoyed very much. But, since this community doesn't have as many feelings as he does, when he asked his parents if they loved him, they explained to him that that word was obsolete and inappropriate; Jonas wants to change his life without feelings, so the next day, after talking to Gabe about how things could change, he did something rebellious........ he doesn't take his Stirring pill! But the Stirrings will come back! That day, the community had a surprise holiday, and when Jonas went to play a game with Asher and other kids from the community, he remembers the pain of war and tries to explain it to Asher and Fiona, but it was no use. They couldn't receive nor understand memories. 
The next day, the Giver explains to him that the previous Receiver-in-Training, 10 years ago, asked for release when she couldn't handle pain and loss anymore; her name was Rosemary, and even though she only trained for five weeks, the Giver loved her deeply.  The Giver also mentioned to Jonas that, since memories last forever, the people in the community started remembering some of the memories, which was why there was chaos when she got released! While the Giver shares his story, he reminds Jonas over and over and OVER again to stay away from the river, no matter what! The Giver wants to make sure nothing bad happens to Jonas.

Text Responses

During these events, a lot of important and shocking things happened, but mostly, these two scenes in the book are the ones that caught my attention the most.

"Jonas nodded. 'I liked the feeling of love,' he confessed.  He glanced nervously at the speaker in the wall, reassuring himself that no one was listening. 'I wish we still had that,' he whispered." (126).

Luckily for Jonas, he still learns and experiences new feelings! Almost all good memories Jonas receives end with the same comment: "I wish we still had that".  With this, I can infer that maybe, once Jonas becomes the new Receiver, he could change things in his normal community, bring back feelings, colors, and even snow. Just think about it....... Jonas can change their "normal" way of life! He will stop what the Elders have been doing all this time, he will show them the truth.  The community could live with choices, colors, memories, and feelings! 

" 'Asher,' Jonas said. He was trying to speak carefully, and with kindness, to say exactly what he wanted to say. 'You had no way of knowing this. I didnt know it myself until recently. But it's a cruel game. In the past, there have - '

'I said i apologize, Jonas.' " (134-135)

Cruel game you're playing, Asher, cruel game. Jonas felt war while playing, and he really doesn't like that game anymore. But...... why didn't he keep going and try to tell Asher the truth about war? I mean, he's going to have to describe memories to the Committee of Elders soon, so why not practice and give it a try? Jonas knows and feels the need to share memories, just like what he does to Gabe, but, in my opinion, he should try harder to get Asher to understand, not share the memories, just to make sure that he knows something, something true.  This way, when his time comes, he will be prepared to share the truth and make sure the community (the Committee of Elders) makes the right decisions.  

Final Thoughts

As a final thought, these chapters have been the most interesting so far.  What will happen next, is my big question.  What about the Stirrings?!? Why did Rosemary ask for Release?  If the memories Jonas has received so far has changed the way he views life..... will he try and change other people's lives, too? All these chapters and questions have got me thinking like CRAZY! Let's hope these next chapters answer these questions and many more questions in my mind right now.  In the next chapters, I really want to know more dark secrets about the Committee of Elders, and how will Jonas react to them? Will he change these secrets? I would also want to know what will Jonas' next memory be, will it be sad (like the feeling the Giver had when he lost Rosemary) or happy? Will he still view Rosemary in future memories or not? What will Jonas do in the future, with all his knowledge?