The Giver: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

The next day, Jonas asks The Giver about release. The Giver responds that on days when his memories particularly pain him, he thinks of his own release. But then he reminds Jonas of the rule prohibiting Jonas or himself from asking for release. He tells Jonas that the rule was created ten years earlier, when the previous trainee failed.

The Giver tells Jonas that her name was Rosemary, and that he loved her very much, the same way he loves Jonas. She loved the happy memories The Giver gave her, but after receiving memories of loneliness, loss, and fear, she was so distraught that she applied for release without telling The Giver. Afterward, her memories were released to the community and The Giver was too grief-stricken to help the people cope with the lost memories.

Jonas wonders what would happen if he fell in the river and died accidentally. The Giver tells him that memories are forever, and that all of Jonas's memories would be given to the community. He says that Jonas has many more memories than Rosemary had and if they were given to the community it would be catastrophic. He adds that he now thinks he might be more ready to help the community cope with such an overwhelming tragedy. Even so, he tells Jonas to stay away from the river.