How do chapters 16~18 relate to the theme of freedom and choice?

In the novel I have just finished called, The Giver by Lois Lowry. There are a couple messages that talk about freedom and choices, whether it is discrete or obvious. The themes of freedom and choice are clearly present in chapters 16~18. I think this for a couple of reasons.

Choice:

Firstly, I believe that the chapters related to choices because Jonas had to make a few really important and hard decisions. Jonas was mad a his community after being given the memories of how the town used to be. There used to be colours, emotions and most of all freedom. After Jonas explained this to The Giver, they come up with two options. Jonas could escape to Elsewhere, where life would be like the memories, or he could live life as normal in his community. That was a very hard decision for Jonas to make. Jonas chose to escape to Elsewhere.

For Jonas getting to Elsewhere was going to be a hard journey, even though he begged The Giver to come with him, he knew it was going to be a very difficult and lonely. Jonas would miss his parents, Asher, Fiona, Lily and most of all The Giver (since he told Jonas he couldn't go with him). For Jonas staying in his community would've been hard as well. Jonas,

if he had chosen to stay, would of had to live with no emotions, colour or music. When Jonas thought that all the decision making was over, another difficult choice confronted him, when Jonas' father mentioned that the next day he was going to release Gabriel. Jonas was saddened when his father told him about this. Jonas had recently learnt what 'release' actually meant. "He killed it! My father killed it!" Pg. 150. Jonas then had to make a tough decision.... whether to take Gabriel along or not. That was not an easy decision. Gabriel could suffer more pain then if he were just to be released. Jonas thought that if he was strong enough, he could keep both of them alive on their journey to Elsewhere. Jonas finally decided to take a risk and try to save Gabriel by bringing him along. That was how choice was displayed in the two chapters

Freedom:

I think the two chapters showed freedom because Jonas escaped to Elsewhere, where he was free. Jonas was choosing to be free when he escaped. Jonas knew that when he escaped the world would be like the memories. Jonas wouldn't be captivated in sameness. He would be free! Jonas would be free of sameness, choices, ridiculous rules and free from the hunger of a normal life. "There could be love." Pg. 129.

Before Jonas became the new Receiver he didn't have the right to make his own decisions. When Jonas started training he was able to After Jonas started his training his list of rules entitled him to much freedom. Jonas was not questioned anymore, but Jonas rather questioned. At the end of the book when Jonas escaped and arrived at his destination, Elsewhere, he had fulfilled his happiness....his freedom. Jonas had what he had longed for... a town full of love, joy, colour, music. People in his new town would be like Jonas, they would feel what Jonas feels. They could all see colour, hear music and have emotion! Jonas was...FREE!!!!!!

Image Sources:

- plavstalk.com

- hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com

- worldinconversation.org