Jonas got Receiver as his assignment. While people say it’s
honored and very important, Jonas doesn’t seem to agree with them yet. He just
feels a little separated and even awkward talking to his good friend, Asher
after being granted it. There were two more things to make him puzzled. One is
the previous Twelve girl who had got Receiver but failed during training and it
is not allowed to say her name and use it for new child. In general, it’s
considered as disgrace, so the story about the girl made Jonas confused. The other
thing is the file. Other Twelves got thick files containing rules and other
contents for new adult assignment but there was just one sheet of paper in Jonas’s
file. In addition, there were just 8 rules for Receiver of Memory which made
Jonas startled.
Poor Jonas. All these things are too severe for this 12
year-old boy. In the community, there is no freedom for people to choose the
assignment for themselves and it appears quite different from our world. In our
real society, we can enjoy the freedom but still have to take the responsibility
for the result of our own freedom or choice. Then, How about in Jonas’s world? Who rests the responsibility with? Let’s
take the example of the girl who had got the Receiver as her assignment
previously. After her failing, no one knows where she is or how she is. I can
tell that she got released and it means she died. People say "You are special. You are honored." and give such a specially heavy assignment to a little child. Then, the responsibility of failure results in the little child's release.
It doesn't make sense at all!
Objection!!!
The other new Twelves clustered nearby, placing their folders carefully into the carrying containers on the backs of the bikes.
clus·ter [|klʌstə(r)] [VERB]
If people cluster together, they gather together in a small group.
The children clustered around me.
"See you in the morning, Recreation Director!" he called, dismounting by his door as Asher continued on.
dis·mount [dɪs|maʊnt]
[VERB] If you dismount from a horse or a bicycle, you get down from it.
Emma dismounted and took her horse's bridle.
He imagined Benjamin, the scientific male in his group, beginning to read pages of rules and instructions with relish.
rel·ish [|relɪʃ]
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
She savoured the moment with obvious relish.
From this moment you are exempted from rules governing rudeness.
ex·empt [ɪg|zempt]
[VERB] To exempt a person or thing from a particular rule, duty, or obligation means to state officially that they are not bound or affected by it.
South Carolina claimed the power to exempt its citizens from the obligation to obey federal law.
But he was a little dismayed that his schedule left no time, apparently, for recreation.
dis·may [dɪs|meɪ]
[VERB] If you are dismayed by something, it makes you feel afraid, worried, or sad.
The thought that she was crying dismayed him.
He was so completely, so thoroughly accustomed to courtesy within the community that the thought of asking another citizen an intimate question, of calling someone's attention to an area of awkwardness, was unnerving.
unnerving [ʌnnɜ:rvɪŋ]
[ADJ] If you describe something as unnerving, you mean that it makes you feel worried or uncomfortable.
It is very unnerving to find out that someone you see every day is carrying a potentially deadly virus.
disconcerting
she had hastily requisitioned relief- of-pain medication
requi·si·tion [|rekwɪ|zɪʃn]
[VERB] If people in authority requisition a vehicle, building, or food, they formally demand it and take it for official use.
Authorities requisitioned hotel rooms to lodge more than 3,000 stranded Christmas vacationers.
Almost instantly the excruciating pain in his hand had diminished to the throb
ex·cru·ci·at·ing [ɪk|skru:ʃieɪtɪŋ]
[ADJ] If you describe something as excruciating, you are emphasizing that it is extremely painful, either physically or emotionally.
I was in excruciating pain and one leg wouldn't move.
throb [θrɑ:b]
a feeling of pain in a series of regular beats.
My headache faded to a dull throbbing.
His mind reeled.
reel [ri:l]
[VERB] If you say that your brain or your mind is reeling, you mean that you are very confused because you have too many things to think about.
His mind reeled at the question.
Now, empowered to ask questions of utmost rudeness and promised answers--he could, conceivably (though it was almost unimaginable), ask someone, some adult, his father perhaps: "Do you lie?"
con·ceiv·able [kən|si:vəbl]
[ADJ] If something is conceivable, you can imagine it or believe it.
It is just conceivable that a single survivor might be found.
It is conceivable that I'll see her tomorrow.
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