Jonas is the protagonist, or main character, in the novel. He is a sensitive, polite, compassionate 12-year-old boy. Jonas is a dynamic character. He changes during the course of the novel due to his experiences and actions. We know how Jonas changes because Lowry narrates The Giver in the third person, limited omniscient viewpoint in order to reveal Jonas' thoughts and feelings. When the novel begins, Jonas is as unconcerned as anyone else about how he is living. He has grown up with loudspeakers, rules, precise language, and a family that is not connected biologically. He has accepted this way of life, because he doesn't know any other type of existence.
At the December Ceremony, Jonas is selected to become the new Receiver of Memory, the most honored position in the community. As he receives the Giver's memories and wisdom, he learns the truth about his community, that it is a hypocrisy and that the people have voluntarily given up their individuality and freedom to live as robots. Jonas' character changes and becomes more complex. He experiences an inner conflict because he misses his old life, his childhood, and his innocence, but he can't return to his former way of life because he has learned too much about joy, color, and love. Jonas knows that his life can never be "ordinary" again.
Jonas is also frustrated and angry because he wants his fellow citizens to change and thereby give up Sameness. He knows that the community and each person's life will benefit if only they would — or could — reclaim their individuality. Jonas realizes that his life would no longer be worth living if he were to continue living in the community as it is. To save the people in the community from their own senseless inhumanity, Jonas, an extremely courageous and brave character, risks his life. He flees the community with the baby, Gabriel. Jonas is afraid, but he is prepared to fight for their survival. Although we do not know how Jonas' experiences ultimately affect him or his community, we do know that he matures and that he feels excited and joyful as he and Gabriel ride down the hill on the sled.
