It is in Chapter Nineteen that Jonas learns the true
nature of the word "release" in his community. You would do well to re-read this chapter
and consider how the author reveals both to us and to Jonas what actually happens when
somebody is "released." Key to note is how this chapter completely transforms the
understanding and relationship of Jonas to his community and to himself, and above all
to his father. Note how he starts off ironically desiring to see the release of the twin
that his father was going to perform that day:
He liked the thought of seeing his father perform
the ceremony, and making the little twin clean and comfy. His father was such a gentle
man.
However, the reality of
"release" is somewhat different. Jonas' father takes a syringe and a needle and fills it
with a liquid. Then he injects it into the baby's forehead. As Jonas watches, he sees
the baby twin jerk his arms and legs. Then he goes limp. With a sickening realisation,
Jonas realises that "release" is actually a euphemism for execution, and he has just
seen his father cheerfully perform his duties as an executioner.
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