Jonas, who is eleven years old, is apprehensive about the upcoming Ceremony of Twelve, where he will be assigned his job or his "assignment in the community". In his society, little privacy is allowed; even private houses have two-way intercoms which can be used to listen in for infractions of the rules. However, the rules appear to be readily accepted by all, including Jonas. Unlike the rest of his classmates who are assigned to various positions, Jonas is selected for a rare and special position of Receiver. He then learns that he will be bestowed with memories unknown to the rest of the community by his predecessor.