At the evening meal, each family member takes a turn sharing this as part of a daily ritual.
What are their feelings?
The Protagonist of this Story
Who is Jonas
In Jonas’s community, children receive their future jobs at the Ceremony of Twelve, illustrating this dystopian trait where personal choice is replaced by government control.
What is loss of individual freedom / lack of personal choice?
This ceremony marks the moment when a child receives a name and family unit.
What is the Ceremony of One?
This U.S. coin features a man nicknamed “Honest Abe.”
What is the penny?
At the evening ritual of feelings, Jonas’s father shares his worry about this person
Who is Gabriel (or “Gabe”), the newchild struggling to meet the weight requirements?
The one who walked away from everyone else and passed away.
Who is Caleb?
Citizens are required to share their dreams and feelings every day, showing this hallmark of a dystopia in which private thoughts are not truly private.
What is constant surveillance or invasion of privacy?
They get new bicycles.
Who are the Nines?
In the game of basketball, this violation occurs when a player moves both feet without dribbling.
What is traveling?
Jonas notices this feature about the apple he plays catch with, though he can’t explain why it changes.
What is that the apple briefly changes in appearance (or “changes color”)?
Sister to the Protagonist
Who is Lily
The rule against bragging—even about small achievements—demonstrates this dystopian aim to eliminate differences among people.
What is enforced sameness / suppression of individuality?
Don't look now, but they now have gender-specific haircuts.
Who are the Tens?
In this popular series, a group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana, fights monsters from the Upside Down.
What is Stranger Things?
Jonas’s mother gives him these two specific instructions after his dream.
What are to begin taking the daily pill and to continue reporting any Stirrings?
The Best Friend who always seems to mess up
When a jet flies overhead and the community panics until an announcement orders everyone inside, it reflects this dystopian characteristic of an all-powerful governing body.
What is total government control or authoritarian rule?
These humans begin their volunteer hours.
Who are the Eights?
This reality show features people competing for a rose to win someone’s heart.
What is The Bachelor?
Lily and Jonas discuss the possible future assignment of this occupation for Lily, because of her interest in caring for the young.
What is a Nurturer?
In a quiet moment at the House of the Old, Jonas notices this character’s pale eyes—an early parallel to his own that foreshadows a deeper connection.
Who is Gabriel (Gabe)?
The practice of “release,” hinted at but not fully explained in these chapters, creates fear and obedience, showing this classic dystopian tool.
What is the use of fear or threat of punishment to maintain control?
These Humans start telling their dreams during "family unit" meetings.
Who are the Threes?
This rapper and social media personality caused major trends on TikTok and collaborated with big-name artists like Dua Lipa.
Who is Ice Spice?