The theme of individuality versus conformity is especially important as Lowry relates Gabe's status. Rather than be labeled "Inadequate" and immediately be released from the community because he hasn't gained the weight required of babies his age and doesn't yet sleep through the entire night, Gabe has been given a reprieve, a second chance. Thanks to Jonas' father, he has been labeled "Uncertain" and has a year in which to improve. Gabe is different from others his age, which is unacceptable to the community, but he is fortunate: He is able to spend each night with Jonas' family unit and receive extra attention and care. The only stipulation, or condition, to this arrangement is that Jonas' family members must sign a pledge stating that they will not become emotionally attached to Gabe. They can care for him physically, but they are not allowed to love him. The only way to maintain the illusion of social order within the community is to enforce the rules and make sure that everyone conforms. Individual feelings interfere with established rules.
Everyone in the community attends the December Ceremony, which is held in the Auditorium. The Ceremony begins with the Naming and Placement of newborns. When Jonas' friend Fiona goes onstage with her parents, they are given a male infant named Bruno. The previous year, the family unit of Jonas' friend Asher was given a female newchild named Phillipa. Asher is eleven years older than Phillipa, and it is unusual to have such a large age gap between two children in the same family unit. Only four years separate Jonas and his sister, Lily. On this occasion, one family receives a "replacement child," named Caleb, because their first child, also named Caleb, wandered off and fell into the river that runs near the community. For a family unit to lose one of its two children is a rare occurrence in the community. When everyone follows the rules and acts the same (conforms), nothing bad happens, and the community remains an extremely safe place to live. When people don't follow the rules, they are considered inferior because they "infringed on the community's sense of order and success."
