Community Questions
When do new children turn one?
Every December.
Describe Jonas's family's evening ritual?
Each family describes a feeling and explains why he/she is feeling that way.
What happens to the fours at the ceremony?
They receive button down jackets.
What do Gabe and Jonas have in common?
They both have pale eyes.
What is the treatment for Stirrings?
People take pills every morning.
Each family must have two children;one female and male.
How do family units get a second child?
A new child is given to the family at the ceremony.
What happens to the nines at the ceremony?
Who's the Receiver?
The Receiver is the most important Elder in the community.
Where do released members go?
They are sent Elsewhere and never eturn.
Why is Jonas frightened by the plane overhead?
It's against the rules to fly a plane in the community.
What do they receive at the age of eight?
They receive clothes that have pockets in them.
What is special about Caleb?
Caleb is a replacement child.
When do spouses get their children?
After a match has been monitored for three years, couples apply for all.
Why are the children scolded for telling friends during the play that they have been released?
It is a grave insult, as being released is a terrible punishment.
What rule does Jonas' father break? Hoew does he feel about this?
Jonas' father peaked at the Naming list. Jonas was surprised that is father would break a rule.
What do the tens get?
They get their hair publicly cut.
She is the leader of the community. A new Chief Elder is elected every ten years.
How are spouses chosen?
A committee of Elders chooses the spouses for people who apply for them.
List all the ways a community member can be released.
New children are released for not developing properly, elderly people are released in a celebration of their lives, and repeat offenders are released after their third transgression.
What does age eleven receive?
They receive more gender specific clothes.
What is the job of the Receiver?
He must transmit his memories to Jonas.
Describe the ceremony of loss.
The entire community murmurs the child's name all day. The communications get softer and less frequent until the community stops talking.