CHARACTERS
What is Jonas’s father’s job?
He is a Nurturer.
What must families do every evening?
Share their feelings.
Why was Jonas uncomfortable about the word “love”?
Feelings like love don’t really exist in their community.
What does the word “Nurturer” mean in the story?
Someone who takes care of newchildren.
What strange thing happens when Jonas tosses an apple with Asher?
The apple seems to change color.
Who is Asher, and how is he described?
Jonas’s best friend, cheerful and sometimes careless with language.
What must families do each morning?
Share their dreams.
How does the community deal with strong feelings?
They take pills to suppress them.
What is a “comfort object”?
A soft toy given to young children to help them sleep.
What rule did Jonas’s father break to help Gabriel?
He looked up Gabriel’s name before it was officially announced.
What does Jonas’s father reveal about his personality when he looks up Gabriel’s name ahead of time?
He shows compassion and a willingness to quietly bend the rules for kindness.
What is the purpose of the “Ceremony of Twelve”?
To assign jobs or roles to the Twelves
What rule made Jonas feel different at the beginning of the book?
He saw things change (like the apple’s color).
What does it mean when Jonas is “apprehensive”?
He feels nervous or uneasy.
How are the Elders involved in Assignments?
They observe children to decide the most suitable role for each one.
What do we learn about Jonas’s mother through her job and the advice she gives Jonas?
She is practical, rule-abiding, and values order and control, reflecting the society’s mindset.
What is one thing Jonas’s community does to maintain “sameness”?
They control choices, language, and sometimes even emotions or weather.
Why does Jonas’s family temporarily care for Gabriel?
Because he isn’t developing as expected, and his father wants to give him extra nurturing.
What is the “Speaker”?
A voice system that announces orders and reminders to the community.
What happens during the “Ceremony of Nine”?
Children receive bicycles.
What is Jonas’s sister’s name?
Lily
What happens if someone breaks the rules three times?
They are released.
What feeling did Jonas’s father share during the family’s evening ritual?
Worry about a newchild (Gabriel).
What does “release” mean in the community?
To be sent away from the community (later revealed to mean death).
Why is Jonas nervous about the Ceremony of Twelve?
He doesn’t know what Assignment he will receive.