Sunday 16 February 2014

What is the significance of the name Jonas?

Jonas is the eleven-year-old protagonist of the novel, who is chosen to be the community's next Receiver of Memory. Jonas is forced to experience the pain of the world's memories in order for his community to remain stable, safe, and comfortable. After he learns that his community suppresses individuality and practices population control, he decides to run away. With the Giver's help, Jonas escapes from his community with Gabriel, and the two characters travel into...

Jonas is the eleven-year-old protagonist of the novel, who is chosen to be the community's next Receiver of Memory. Jonas is forced to experience the pain of the world's memories in order for his community to remain stable, safe, and comfortable. After he learns that his community suppresses individuality and practices population control, he decides to run away. With the Giver's help, Jonas escapes from his community with Gabriel, and the two characters travel into the wilderness.


The name Jonas is significant because its translation in Hebrew is Jonah. In the Old Testament, Jonah was a prophet who was given the order from God to travel to Nineveh and prophesy. However, Jonah refused to go to Nineveh and decided to run away instead. While Jonah was fleeing on the ship, the Lord created a storm, and Jonah was thrown overboard by the crew. Fortunately, a whale ate Jonah, and he was able to survive in its stomach until it threw him up on dry land. Similar to Jonah of the Bible, Jonas also flees from his community and responsibility.

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