Chapters 21 to 23: Summary

Jonas’ plan to escape goes awry at the very beginning. At the evening meal, Jonas learns that his father and the staff at The Nurturing Center have decided to release Gabe owing to his poor growth and behavior. Taking Gabe, Jonas leaves his place at night with leftovers from supper. He steals his father’s bicycle because he needs the infant seat attached to it for Gabe. In doing so, he breaks many of the community’s rules. However, his only regret involves not meeting the Giver. Jonas makes use of his abilities and transmits a calm, peaceful memory to Gabe, hoping this would coax Gabe into sleeping until they are safely away from the community.

Soon, readers learn that planes have been commissioned to locate Jonas and Gabriel. In response, Jonas establishes a routine of traveling only during the night and hiding and sleeping during the day. Since Jonas is aware that the search planes looking for him are equipped with heat-seeking devices, he transmits memories involving cold temperatures and snow to Gabe, thereby keeping the planes from detecting their body heat.

The landscape changes as Jonas and Gabe move further away from the community. With the search effort seemingly scaled down, they even begin to ride during the day. However, their journey becomes challenging on account of other perils, including forests, streams, and stones; this is a landscape not all that conducive for a bicycle journey. Despite these challenges, Jonas takes happiness in simple things, such as birds and colorful flowers. However, he is still fearful that he and Gabe might starve to death. Jonas thus finds himself wondering if staying in the community might have been better. After careful consideration, he is reaffirmed by his decision to flee the community. His only sorrow is that he may not be able to save Gabe.

When it begins to snow, Jonas realizes that he can no longer ride his bike, especially since what lies immediately ahead is hilly terrain. Carrying Gabe, Jonas trudges up the hill. Finally, they make it to the top where he finds a sled. He holds Gabe tightly, as they use the sled to go downhill. Jonas sees colored lights in the distance, hears music, and knows that love and joy are at his destination.

Chapters 21 and 23: Analysis

The novel’s ambiguous ending is achieved by Lowry’s blending together of Jonas’ present situation and his memories, and this introduces uncertainty in the readers’ minds: we don’t know if we are reading about a memory or about Jonas’ reality. The ending relies on the readers’ intuition; it urges us to interpret the collective fate of Jonas and Gabriel. The optimistic reader will believe that Jonas and Gabriel continue to live and thrive in Elsewhere; the pessimistic reader will believe that Jonas and Gabriel succumb to the challenges. Some might also see the ending as circular, believing that Jonas and Gabriel eventually return to the original community. Interestingly, unlike the society depicted in the book, readers are given the freedom to interpret the story’s ending.

In a very short time, Jonas has learned the meaning of life. He understands that individuality is worth pursuing and that emotions should not be stifled or ignored. The novel seems to suggest that differences should be accepted and celebrated.