Final answer:
Jonas is captivated by an apple because it is the first time he notices a change in it—a new perception that symbolizes emerging awareness of his world's deeper secrets. He is reprimanded through a public announcement reminding him about community rules, indicating the society's discreet methods of ensuring conformity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jonas is enthralled with the apple because it is during an incident involving tossing an apple that he first notices something unusual—a change in the apple’s appearance. It is the beginning of his awakening to the inconsistencies and deeper complexities of his community’s seemingly homogeneous world. Jonas is reprimanded by a public announcement which reminds him that snacks are to be eaten, not hoarded, and subtly calls him out without naming him directly. This is how the community ensures conformity and obedience through gentle public shaming, a method that leaves Jonas feeling uneasy, but also increasingly aware that there are aspects of his world that he has yet to understand.