In chapter 5, the reader learns that part of the family unit's morning ritual, starting as a three included each member sharing his or her dreams. The text states that typically Jonas did not dream and therefore, did not contribute much to this ritual. Jonas started to have vivid dreams, which the citizens in the community call stirrings. When he shared one of his first stirrings about Fiona during dream-telling, the text states that he felt "slightly embarrassed". At the time, Jonas didn't understand why he felt that way. When his mother asks him if he slept soundly at the beginning of chapter 12, he told her the truth, which was also evidenced by the fact that he did not hear Gabriel awake during the night. Jonas does not reveal to his family at their morning meal that he dreamt about sledding down a snow-covered hill and trying to reach something. The reader can infer that Jonas failed to reveal his dream because he did not understand what the something was. He also knew that his family would not understand, since they have never had that experience. Jonas also lied because he was given strict instructions that he was not to share the details of his training with anyone. Riding a sled was a memory transferred to him by the Giver during one of his training sessions.
At the beginning of chapter 12, Jonas's mother asks him if he slept soundly and also asks if he had any dreams. Jonas does not lie to his mother about sleeping soundly but does not expound about his dreams. It was true that Jonas did not hear Gabe crying in the middle of the night like the rest of the family and was able to sleep well, but he did have a specific dream about sled riding towards an unknown destination at the bottom of the hill. When Jonas awoke from his dream, he was left with a strong feeling of wanting and a desire to reach that distant place. At this point in the novel, Jonas is not comfortable lying to his parents, but he does omit the significance of his dream.
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