In Chapter 16 of The Giver, Jonas receives a memory from The Giver that shows a group of people, both very young and very old, gathered together under a tree covered in lights. The atmosphere is joyful and filled with excitement. The people are opening presents and sharing laughter and smiles. The memory is filled with a sense of warmth, love, and a strong feeling of family.
Curious about the two old people in the memory, Jonas asks The Giver who they are. The Giver explains that they are called grandparents. Jonas, who has never heard of grandparents before, expresses his confusion. The Giver goes on to explain that grandparents are the parents of one’s parents, and they hold a special place in the family.
Grandparents are usually older individuals who have lived through many years and have a wealth of life experiences. They often have a special bond with their grandchildren, providing guidance, wisdom, and love. In the memory, the presence of the grandparents adds an extra layer of warmth and joy to the gathering, as they dote on the younger members of the family and share their own stories and memories.
The concept of grandparents is entirely new to Jonas, as the society he lives in lacks the presence of extended family. In his community, family units consist only of a mother, father, and two children. There is no room for the presence of grandparents or any other relatives beyond the immediate family. This lack of extended family relationships is one of the ways in which their society seeks to control and maintain uniformity among its members.
Jonas’s confusion and curiosity about grandparents highlight the severe limitations and restrictions placed on the inhabitants of his community. They are denied the opportunity to experience the love and support that can be found within extended family relationships. The memory of the grandparents and the joy that emanates from the family gathering serve as a stark contrast to the sterile and controlled environment Jonas has grown up in.
This chapter serves as a pivotal moment for Jonas as he begins to question the limitations and restrictions imposed by his society. The memory of the grandparents opens his eyes to the possibilities of love, connection, and familial bonds that he has been deprived of. It sparks within him a desire to challenge the status quo and seek a different way of living, ultimately leading him towards his journey of rebellion and escape from the community.