Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 7 of The Giver, Jonas and his peers attend the Ceremony of Twelve, where they receive their Assignments, determining their roles in the community. The chapter focuses on Jonas's anxiety and anticipation as he waits for his Assignment, highlighting the importance of this event in their society.
Here is a breakdown of the key elements of the chapter, explained for a middle school student:
Characters and their Relationships
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Jonas: The protagonist. He is turning twelve and is apprehensive about his Assignment. Jonas is observant and thoughtful. He has close friendships with Asher and Fiona.
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Asher: Jonas's best friend, known for his cheerful disposition and past struggles with language precision. He receives the Assignment of Assistant Director of Recreation.
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Fiona: Another close friend of Jonas. She is calm and gentle and receives the Assignment of Caretaker of the Old.
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Pierre: A classmate Jonas dislikes. Pierre is serious, rule-abiding, and somewhat of a tattletale.
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Chief Elder: The leader of the community, responsible for announcing the Assignments. She is respected and seen as infallible.
Motivations and Development
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The children are motivated by a desire to fit in and contribute to the community. They are also eager to learn their Assignments and begin their adult roles.
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Jonas experiences a significant shift in his emotional state throughout the chapter. He starts with anticipation, which turns into confusion and then shame as he is skipped over.
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The chapter focuses on the transition from childhood to adulthood in this society, represented by the Ceremony of Twelve and the receiving of Assignments.
Conflict
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The main conflict is internal. Jonas struggles with anxiety and then confusion as he is skipped over during the Assignments. This creates suspense and raises questions about why he is different.
Theme
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Coming of Age: The chapter centres around the transition from childhood to adulthood, making this a prominent theme. The Ceremony of Twelve marks this transition, with the Assignments shaping the individuals' futures.
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Conformity vs. Individuality: The society emphasises sameness and fitting in, but the Assignments highlight individual differences and talents. Jonas's situation raises questions about the role of individuality within a society that prioritises conformity.
Symbols
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Assignments: These symbolise the individuals' predetermined roles in society, representing the lack of choice and the emphasis on fulfilling specific functions.
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Numbers: They signify the lack of individuality and the focus on order and control within the community. The fact that Jonas is skipped suggests a disruption of this order.
Point of View
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The story is told from Jonas's third-person limited point of view. This allows the reader to experience the events and emotions through Jonas's perspective, creating a sense of empathy and suspense as he faces uncertainty.
Foreshadowing
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The Chief Elder's statement about acknowledging differences foreshadows that Jonas's Assignment will be unique.
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Jonas being skipped during the Ceremony foreshadows that his role in the community will be unconventional.
Literary Devices
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Suspense: The author builds suspense by highlighting Jonas's increasing anxiety and then his confusion as he is skipped.
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Symbolism: As explained above, the Assignments and numbers are used symbolically.
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Irony: The Chief Elder's speech about honouring differences is ironic considering Jonas's experience.
Overall, Chapter 7 of The Giver marks a turning point in the story, setting the stage for Jonas's unique journey. It raises questions about conformity, individuality, and the nature of choice within a seemingly controlled society.