Jonas meets the current Receiver of Memory and notices that The Receiver's eyes are pale like his own (and like Gabe's, although Jonas doesn't think of this similarity). When The Receiver tells Jonas that The Receiver's job is to transmit all the memories of the world to Jonas, Jonas doesn't understand because concepts having to do with "world" and "memories" are unknown to him. He knows "only us, only now." Here, Lowry introduces a major theme in the novel: the awareness that people must have about the interdependence between human beings, the environment, and the world. The current Receiver explains to Jonas how the future is developed based on wisdom gained from memories of the past.
The Receiver tells Jonas that the numerous apologies that are expected in the community and the rote acceptance-of-apology response are unnecessary between them. Lowry demonstrates how language is used to control the people by pointing out that the numerous apologies and trained response are automatic for the citizens in the community. The politeness that people exhibit toward each other is an illusion of social order. Although people appear to be considerate of each other, they really aren't sorry for their actions because their responses have been trained. Blindly obedient, they apologize and accept apologies without thinking because they are following the rules. Here, Lowry emphasizes an important theme regarding the importance of maintaining individuality: When people stop thinking for themselves and blindly follow a group, bad things can — and usually do — happen.
Lowry concludes Chapter 10 with a mood of suspense as the current Receiver turns off the loudspeaker, which, as another means of controlling people, cannot be turned off in family dwellings. He tells Jonas to take off his tunic and to lie face down on the bed. Jonas is about to receive his first memory.
