In the story, The Giver, Lois Lowry portrays growth and change in the character of Jonas as the plot unfolds. Jonas gradually questions his community's restrictions and embraces individuality and empathy, unlike the other members of the community. Through the use of symbols like colors and a poignant quote, Lowry effectively showcases Jonas's transformation.
Throughout the story, the Giver, Lois Lowry shows growth and change in the character of Jonas. At the beginning of the story, Jonas is a typical member of his community, following the rules and conforming to societal norms. However, as he begins his training with the Giver, he starts to question the limitations and lack of freedom in his community. This leads to his gradual transformation into a more independent thinker and someone who values individuality.
One example of Jonas's growth and change can be seen in his increasing awareness of colors. In his community, everything is perceived in shades of gray. But as he receives memories from the Giver, he starts to see vibrant colors and begins to appreciate their beauty. This change in perception symbolizes his expanding understanding of the world and his development of emotional depth.
Another way in which Jonas changes, unlike the other people in his community, is his growing empathy and compassion towards others. He feels sorrow and pain when he learns about war, hunger, and suffering from the memories transmitted by the Giver. This empathy contrasts with the emotional numbness of the other members of the community, who have been shielded from such experiences.
Incorporating a quote from the text, towards the end of the story, Jonas expresses his newfound realization of the importance of choice and individuality:
“But now he could make his own decisions. He could decide for himself when to move on to the next receiver. Whether the community learned from their mistakes or continued to ignore their own frailty, it didn’t matter to him. He had unburdened himself. He had relinquished his gift.”
This quote shows Jonas's transformation from a passive recipient of societal norms to someone who actively chooses his own path.