Learning A Lesson In “The Giver” From Jonas by Kadence

Learning A Lesson In “The Giver” From Jonas by Kadence - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

The novel, “The Giver” by Lois Lowery, shows a character far different from the rest. This character is Jonas. Throughout the story, he evolves and teaches us a lesson. Jonas shows us that real happiness comes from allowing yourself to experience emotions and from making choices. Jonas, as well as all the other children, was assigned a number at birth. His number was nineteen. The community in which they lived was a so-called dystopia. There was no hunger, pain, thirst, or conflict; everything was "perfect". However, this all comes at a cost. The entire community has given up the ability to express genuine emotions; there is no individuality. But Jonas was special; he was chosen as the "receiver of memories”.

In the novel, the reader learns that within emotion and choices is the way in which Jonas experiences joy and pain. It is just as you would in real life. There were always specific things not allowed within the community, like music, love, deep emotions, lying, or even color. Jonas learns these feelings through his assignment as the "receiver of memories.” He experiences things like sledding down a hill or loving someone, but he realizes there's more than just feelings of warmth and happiness. He also feels the memories of war or loss. With this, Jonas shows us that there is a balance between good and evil. Struggle and pain are a part of life as well.

Another example of a lesson learned by the reader is not to always stick to everything in your comfort zone. Everyone within his community was controlled. They could not experience things like love, connections, or deep emotion. They were forced to follow all the same paths with no individuality. No one realizes how much is missing from their life because no one remembers the feelings or has felt them. Everyone except Jonas. Once Jonas becomes the “receiver of memories,” he sees his world as untrue or incomplete. Jonas shows us that we must leave our comfort zone and feel new feelings to live life truly.

In conclusion, we learn a lot from Jonas in The Giver. As he left his comfort zone and experienced new things, he taught us that it is essential to be true to yourself. Individuality is all worth it in the end. His lessons remind us that life is not all complete happiness; he also shows us that there are hard parts. But you should make your own choices and take in the real beauty of life. Like Jonas, we should do the same. Live life to its fullest and find your own meaning.