Jonas aches with this newfound wisdom and his desire for a life Elsewhere blossoms.

Jonas learns that the Community engineered a society of sameness to protect its people against this past, yet he begins to understand the tremendous loss he and his people have endured by giving their memories away, embracing 'sameness' and using 'climate control'. These are memories of the Community's deep past. But then he is given the painful memories: the wars, the pain, death, loneliness, starvation. Also, for the first time, Jonas knows what it is to see colors, to feel sunshine or see a rainbow, and to experience snow and the thrill of riding a sled down a hill. Yet, under the guidance of the present Receiver, a surprisingly kind man who has the same rare, pale eyes as Jonas, the boy absorbs memories that induce for the first time feelings of true happiness and love. So it is without real protest that he initially accepts his selection as the Receiver of Memories, a job he is told will be filled with pain and the training for which will isolate him from his family and friends forever. However, the rules appear to be readily accepted by all, including Jonas. Jonas, just like the other Elevens (other children of the age Eleven), is apprehensive about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve when he and his peers will be given the roles they will hold for the rest of their adult lives in their immaculately organized, tightly run society known as the ' Community.' In the Community, eccentricities in behavior, appearance, or personality are strongly opposed - even outlawed.

The giver the messenger gathering blue