After receiving the painful warfare memory in Chapter 15, Jonas is reluctant to see The Giver again. The pain that he experienced causes him to mature, and, as a result, he loses his innocence and his childhood. He does return to The Giver, though, because he knows that "the choice was not his."
To help Jonas through the pain that he's experienced, The Giver concentrates on transmitting good, happy memories to Jonas. As in the previous memories, Lowry's style becomes lyrical, and the sense impressions that she creates are extremely realistic. For example, Jonas experiences a birthday party and understands "the joy of being an individual, special and unique and proud." He goes to a museum and sees paintings painted with the many beautiful colors that he now knows exist. He rides a horse across a field that smells of "damp grass" and learns about the bonds that exist between animals and human beings. Also, he spends time learning about the joy and contentment that come from enjoying solitude, or time by oneself.
One day, The Giver transmits his own favorite memory, a memory of love and happiness, to Jonas. In the memory, Jonas is inside a house, and it is snowing outside. A fire is burning in a fireplace, creating a cozy atmosphere, and colored lights decorate a Christmas tree. People are laughing as they open presents and hug each other. They appear to be very happy. From this memory, Jonas learns about a traditional Christmas celebration and about the concept of grandparents. Most important, he learns about love, which, sadly, "was a word or concept new to him."
