"The Giver" Chapter 6-8

SUMMARY:
Finally the December Ceremony has arrived! Jonas and his family get ready to go to the event, they get to the ceremony and take a seat in the auditorium, except Jonas´ father who had to be with the other Nurturers. First, the Naming Ceremony starts, each newborn child receives his name except Gabe, who was given one year more of nurturing. Next, everyone performed the Ceremony of Loss for a family unit who lost their son Caleb, so the family was given a new newborn child named Caleb as well. After, the Ceremony of Ones through Eights takes place. Lily receives a new jacket and gets to stop wearing her ribbons. Finally, that´s it for the first day of the December Ceremony. The second day arrives and Jonas has mixed feelings, he is apprehensive, nervous and excited! His family unit gets to the ceremonies and takes its seats. First, the bicycles are given to the Nines, the Tens get their haircuts, and the Elevens get new clothes. Then, they have a midday break to have lunch. Jonas and Asher are nervously talking about what is awaiting them. Asher tells Jonas that if a citizen hates his assignment he is allowed to apply to go "Elsewhere", although Jonas believes it´s a myth. The elders would never make a mistake, even all the spouses are perfectly matched.

The midday break ends and the community goes back to the auditorium. The Twelves seat in order of their birth number, Jonas is 19. He sits beside Fiona and a classmate he did not like much, Pierre. The Chief Elder gives a little speech to the group of young people. She notes that, until now, differences were a bad thing. But today, differences are called out and used to decide each individual's future. Next, the assignments begin: Fish Hatchery Attendant, Birthmother, Instructor of Sixes. Then, it was Asher´s turn. The Chief Elder related funny anecdotes when Asher was a small child and he could not use language properly. He constantly said "smack" instead of "snack" and eventually he got smacked many times by his teachers; the crowd laughed. Anyways, Asher got Assistant Director of Recreation. The assignments continued, when the Chief Elder got to Fiona who was number 18, Jonas got nervous since his turn was next. Fiona got Caretaker of the Old. Jonas was getting prepared to get up and head to the stage, but the Chief Elder called out Pierre, number 20. Everyone notices and the crowd murmurs in confusion. Jonas was startled, he had been skipped, he was wondering what could he have done wrong. 
Jonas feels extremely ashamed for being skipped.

Finally, when all the Twelves received their assignments, the Chief Elder points out the fact that she skipped Jonas and apologizes. The community and Jonas as well accept her apology. She starts off with saying that Jonas has not been assigned, he has been selected. Neither the crowd or Jonas understood what she meant. She continues, and says that Jonas has been selected to be the next Receiver of Memory. Everyone gasps in surprise, since being The Receiver is the position with most honor in the community. The Chief Elder says that the current Receiver, an elder, will train the next one, Jonas. Jonas notices the Receiver, an old man with pale eyes such as Jonas, sitting with the Committee of Elders. The Chief Elder continues and starts listing all the qualities required to have to be the Receiver, which of course Jonas has: intelligence, integrity, courage (she mentioned that he will feel physical pain), and wisdom (which he does not have yet, but he will acquire). Finally, she mentions the most important quality, which is the capacity to see beyond. Jonas is about to object that and explain that he does not have that capacity, but instantly he looks back to the crowd and sees them change such as what he saw that happened to the apple. So, he tells the Chief Elder that yes, he believes that he does have that capacity. Finally, the crowd starts cheering his name, first with a murmur and then very loudly and clearly. Jonas is proud and fearful for what is to come. 
He was left alone in the stage while the crowd his name, he was feeling proud yet fearful.

TEXT RESPONSES: 

A text I would like to respond to is the following text which was mentioned in chapter 8;

"We failed in our last selection," the Chief Elder said solemnly. "It was ten years ago, when Jonas was just a toddler. I will not dwell on the experience because it causes us all terrible discomfort."

When I read this I felt startled and disturbed. All along the book it´s said the Committee of Elders never make mistakes referring to giving positions and assignments. However, it seems that they made a mistake ten years ago choosing The Receiver. I wonder why they made this mistake? Where did the selected individual go, was he released, or did he go to another community? Also, did something really unwanted happen referring to this selection, since it causes discomfort in the community?
Another text which called my attention was the following; 

"But the Receiver-in-training cannot be observed, cannot be modified. That is stated quite clearly in the rules. He is to be alone, apart, while he is prepared by the current Receiver for the job which is the most honored in our community." 

I question what does the Chief Elder mean with modified? I have mixed feelings towards this phrase, I would not like to be alone and apart from my family. Why does the Receiver have to be alone? I would mind such a solitary life, apart from the community. However, it is a position of great honor and the whole community is proud of him, So, what does the Receiver do? What is his job? I think that many painful yet adventurous events await Jonas. 


FINAL THOUGHTS: 

The December Ceremony seems to be a very fun ceremony since all the children in the community receive something special. Nevertheless, secrets lay within the community which only the rulers know about. For example, the capacity to see beyond is a capacity that no one can understand not even the rulers, but the Receiver can. "Why is that?," I believe is the question on all of our minds. Also, we have not found out yet why the Receiver is so important and what is his job. I believe that probably he is the individual who keeps all the secrets safe. I am starting to realize that this community is completely different from the communities in which we live in, so many things and feelings in Jonas´ community have to be kept  away for some reason.