What the freedom?!

In Chapter 16, Jonas was torn between his need for security and order in his life and his desire to experience the new world of memories, emotions and personal choice. " He returned each day to the Annex room." The Giver presented his favorite memory to Jonas, the one where love and the affection of the family during Christmas became the overriding emotions. These two concepts, love and family, were foreign to Jonas before he met the Giver as were the ideas of choice and personal freedom. Even when overwhelmed by the good feelings, Jonas through his years of training in leading the so-called perfect life, could find fault as in the case of the risks associated with the glowing hearth. ( page 122 ) He became aware that he was taught to view love in a negative way, " A dangerous way to live. " ( page 126 ) For members of his strict society, families are provided for and there is no freedom for expression or choice. Upon realizing this, Jonas wanted his adopted brother, Gabriel, to experience feelings and see colors, " Each night, he gave memories to Gabriel. " ( page 128 ) These memories were once of happiness and Jonas attempted to connect these memories to the emotions of love for Jonas believed that the two are inseparable.

The second point concerns Jonas's decision not to take his pill. It is presumed that the pills are meant to keep his emotions and drive in check. Because he had experienced the memories of love, friendship and attraction, he decided to throw the pills away and to allow his body to develop freely in order for it to reach its fullest potential. Here, it can be seen that Jonas has taken the first step in removing himself from the rigid regulations imposed by his society. He has consciously made a decision to be different and by doing so, has become an outsider. After this moment, his view of his entire world had changed and he came to realize how trapped the others were through their own making. At this stage, I would say that Jonas's mind had tasted freedom and craved for more.