Chapter10

<Story>

It’s the first day of training for all new Twelves. Jonas visited the building to attend the training of “Receiver of Memory”. A friendly receptionist woman told Jonas there is no danger inside the door, but the door needs to be unlocked. In the community there is not many doors which have the lock, so it shows that’s very special environment. She described it is for helping Receiver’s  concentration. After entering the room, Jonas found  the practically furnished  luxury space with thousands of book in the bookshelf.  Then Jonas faced to an Old man who will give Jonas training. The old man told him the job is about “the memories of the whole world” with abstract example such as a Sled, Runners, Downhill, and snow. Jonas totally confused and didn’t get what he meant.  The Old man let Jonas lie face down on the bed without tunic, and put his hands on his bare back to start transmitting the memory of snow now.

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<Impressions>

This chapter’s scene was easily pictured in my mind. The Old man started  transmitting the memory by hands. That’s magic! Also why he needed to take of his tunic?! Anyway, the scene is very SF taste, and it reminds me a Hollywood movie Matrix…..In addition to it, the old man looks really tiring with this job, and it sounds not excited to me. Trainer should attract the new comer to this position.  However, what does it mean of “Memory of the past” and “the memories of the whole world” ? The man explained Jonas it has hard and painful work, and which part of body gets pain? Head? Heart?  Full body? It’s very weird but looks important position. I wonder what the core of the author’s message with this position is. After Jonas received all memory in the world within him, how it works in the community? The Old man mentioned “how we shape our future”, so…. the Receiver of Memory seems to have the right to create the future of the community. I feel that’s too heavy responsibility for a man. And why normal citizen can’t see the memory of the past? Oh! Yeah, author may be saying “Past is always controlling our lives and it interrupting us, so take it from citizens.”

<My new words>

1. buzz/v/bʌz/to call somebody to come by pressing a buzzer
>The doctor buzzed for the next patient to come in.

2. indicate/v/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/to show that something is true or exists
>A click indicated that the door had been unlatched.

3. unlatch/v/`ʌnlˈætʃ/
>to unlatch the door.

4. alcove/n/ˈælkoʊv/an area in a room that is formed by part of a wall being built farther back than the rest of the wall
>The bookcase fits neatly into the alcove.

5. conspicuous/adj/kənˈspɪkjuəs/ easy to see or notice; likely to attract attention
>The most conspicuous difference was the books.

6. hastily/adv/ ˈheɪstɪli/ said, made or done very quickly, especially when this has bad results
> Perhaps I spoke too hastily.

7. sag/v/ sæɡ/ to hang or bend down in the middle, especially because of weight or pressure
>He touched the sagging flesh on his own face.

8. peer/v/ pɪr/ to look closely or carefully at something, especially when you cannot see it clearly
>He opened his eyes for a moment and peered at Jonas.

9. enormous/adj/ ɪˈnɔːrməs/ extremely large
>My job is important and has enormous honor.

10. upholster/v/ ʌpˈhoʊlstər/ to cover a chair, etc. with soft material (= padding ) and cloth
>the upholstered chair

11.  sled/n/ sled/ = sledge
>deep snow on a sled

12. accumulate/v/ əˈkjuːmjəleɪt/ to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time
>The snow accumulates.

13. deftly/Adv/ deftli/ skilful and quick
> They deftly avoided answering my questions.

14. diminish/v/ dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ to become or to make something become smaller, weaker, etc.
>My energy is starting to diminish.

15. neglect/v/ nɪˈɡlekt/ to fail to take care of somebody/something
>I may neglect to make things as clear as I should.

*Discovery*
I love to read the detailed expression which gives me the vivid image in my mind.
My favorite phrase is following......

"The fabrics on the upholstered chairs and sofa were slightly thicker and more luxurious;"

"The bed, in an alcove at the far end if the room, was draped with a splendid cloth embroidered over its entire surface with intricate designs. "

alcove=recessed area on the wall

draped with splendid cloth embroidered over= loosely cover(decorate) the bed with close

splendid cloth embroidered =cloth which has wonderful needlework

intricate designs= complicated designs