Jonas, the protagonist, is an eleven year-old boy at the beginning of the book. He has blue eyes. He is awaiting an important milestone in December when he and all the other Elevens will find out what their future jobs will be and will begin preparing for their new assignments. He receives a very special job assignment. He is to become the Receiver, the only one besides the Giver who has Memories.
After he begins receiving the memories, Jonas changes. He seems to become more intelligent. He does not accept the ways of the community as easily as he did in the past before he was the Receiver.