Jonas, the protagonist of Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver,” is a twelve-year-old boy living in a seemingly perfect society. However, as the story unfolds, Jonas discovers the dark secrets behind his community’s apparent utopia. Throughout the book, Jonas shares profound thoughts and insights that resonate with readers of all ages. These quotes encapsulate the essence of Jonas’s character and the themes explored in “The Giver.”
Jonas’s journey from ignorance to enlightenment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of individuality and free will. His experiences challenge the notion of a controlled society and highlight the true value of human emotions. The following quotes from Jonas offer a glimpse into his transformative journey and the profound impact it has on him.
As you dive into the world of “The Giver,” let these quotes inspire you to reflect on the power of choice, love, and the pursuit of truth.
Read these Jonas The Giver Quotes
“It’s just that… without the memories, it’s all meaningless.”
“I don’t know what you mean when you say ‘the whole world’ or ‘generations before him.’ I thought there was only us. I thought there was only now.”
“I liked the feeling of love,” Jonas confessed. “I wish we still had that. Of course, they didn’t know what they were talking about when they called it ‘love.’ They didn’t know what they were talking about.”
“It was a completely different life. I can’t even imagine it. There’s no way to describe it. It was… it was snowing.”
“It’s the choosing that’s important, isn’t it?” Jonas asked. “The Receiver-in-Training is allowed to choose?”
“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”
“I feel sorry for anyone who is in a place where he feels strange and stupid.”
“It was the meaning of everything. How could someone not fit in? The community was so meticulously ordered, the choices so carefully made.”
“We gained control of many things. But we had to let go of others.”
“I don’t think they knew exactly what they were doing. I think they just made the choice, like any of us make choices. And then they had to keep making it. Have you ever known someone who’s been married a long time? My parents have. They’re lucky, I guess. They still choose each other.”
“I don’t know what you mean, ‘hurt.’ That word isn’t familiar to me.”
“But I’ve seen things I had never known were there. I saw the way we could be living. It was so different. I wish I could explain it to you.”
“Now, thinking about the feeling of fear as he pedaled home along the river path, he remembered that moment of palpable, stomach-sinking terror when the aircraft had streaked above.”
“For the first time, he heard something that he knew to be music. He heard people singing. Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he thought he heard music too. But perhaps it was only an echo.”
“I had a dream of my own,” Jonas said softly. “I dreamed that I had a little brother, and I named him Gabriel.”
“There could be love,” Jonas whispered.”
“But the choice is not ours,” Jonas said, “It’s never ours to make. It’s always made for us.”
“But memories are forever,” Jonas said. “You said that, didn’t you? And they’re always there.”
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘color.’ I can’t see it, so it’s not meaningful to me.”
“But now he knew. He knew that there could be no turning back. He had to get away, had to get away so he could warn all of the people.”
These quotes offer a glimpse into Jonas’s journey and the thought-provoking nature of “The Giver.” They remind us of the power of choice, love, and the importance of preserving memories. Jonas’s story serves as a powerful reminder to question the status quo and never take our individuality and freedom for granted.
