Chapter 16 Summary

After that, Jonas was reluctant to go back to the Annex. The next couple of days the Giver was very gentle with Jonas. All memories were of happy things; a birthday party, museums. He even went riding for an afternoon and was introduced to the bonds between animal and man. Jonas asked the Giver about his favorite memory. The Giver gave it willingly. It was a Christmas party with family and grandparents. There was joy on everyone's faces as they opened up their presents. It was with this memory that Jonas experienced love.

That night Jonas asked his parents "do you love me?" They replied with amusement chastising him for an inappropriate use of words. They told him they were proud of his accomplishments and that they enjoyed his company. His mother asked him if he understood why "love" was an inappropriate term...