The one page of directions Jonas receives when he is named as The Receiver of Memories gives some indications of the huge changes in Jonas's life and manner of relating to others that he is facing.
Jonas is now exempted from the rule against being rude; he may ask anything of anyone at any time and expect to receive an answer. Jonas is
so completely, so thoroughly accustomed to courtesy within the community...the thought of asking another citizen an intimate question, calling someone's attention to an area of awkwardness, [is] unnerving.
Jonas no longer has to tell about his dreams or discuss his daily activities or training for his assignment with his family unit. He may not request medication for any condition related to his training, which is disturbing because he has been told that his training will involve pain beyond the imagining of anyone else in the community. Jonas is not allowed to apply for release.
Possibly most disturbing of all, Jonas no longer has to abide by the rule that forbids lying. This is radically different from the pattern and expectation he has known to this point; it immediately raises questions in his mind about the truthfulness of statements made by others around him.
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