These three chapters focus on release. Up to this point, Lowry has been vague about the concept of release and has not explicitly stated what release means. She has given the impression that release for older people who are no longer useful to the community, for infants who are different, and for people who are being punished simply means going Elsewhere.
Jonas wonders about release. The Giver explains to Jonas that he himself cannot ask to be released until the new Receiver (Jonas) has been trained. Jonas mentions that his instructions prevent him from asking for release. In a bitter tone, The Giver tells Jonas that the rule about release was added after the Receiver-in-training's failure ten years earlier. At Jonas' request, The Giver finally explains what happened to the earlier Receiver, who was named Rosemary.
Rosemary was selected to be the new Receiver exactly as Jonas was. The Giver began training her, giving her happy, joyful memories until she demanded that he also give her painful and anguished memories. She felt it was her duty to share the burden of pain. But one day, after receiving a few painful memories, Rosemary said goodbye to The Giver, left the Annex, and asked to be released. The Giver never saw her again. As The Giver discusses Rosemary, Lowry provides meaningful details describing The Giver's actions that indicate his overwhelming sadness about Rosemary's decision. While he is talking, he "painfully" hesitates, his voice trails off, and he sorrowfully closes his eyes.
