What does the giver say is the real reason the receiver of memory is so vital and honored in the community?

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Why does the Giver say "to have memories is a burden"?

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EXPERT ANSWERS

LORRAINE CAPLAN | CERTIFIED EDUCATOR

There are a few reasons for the Giver to feel this way. First, there is the sheer quantity and age of memories he must hold.  Second, it is a burden to hold memories and never be able to share them. And third, he is responsible to the community if any memory is needed.  This is a terrible burden for him.

The Giver is essentially responsible for remembering everything that occurred before the community went to Sameness.  It is exhausting to the Giver. For each memory, he must "tug it forward from many generations back" (83). We get the sense that this is almost a physical drain upon him, the older the memory, the more work needed to do this. And there are so many memories.  Even sharing one with Jonas makes him feel lighter, "A little weight off this old body" (82). 

When Jonas and the Giver make the decision that Jonas is to leave the community, they talk about the memories that the Giver has and that Jonas now has, love and pain in particular. The Giver tells Jonas that memories are meant to be shared, saying, "The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it" (154). Imagine how lonely it would be to never be able to share your memories with another. Much of our joy in memory lies in the sharing of it.

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