Rosemary, the previous Receiver-in-Training, applied for release because she could not handle the emotional pain of the memories she received. Later, it was revealed that she was the Giver’s daughter.
In Lois Lowry’s novel “The Giver,” Rosemary is introduced as a character who had a significant impact on the community’s history, despite not being present in the current timeline of the story. She was selected to be the Receiver of Memory, the individual in the community who bears all the past memories and emotions to aid the leaders in making decisions devoid of emotional bias.
However, Rosemary’s training as the Receiver-in-Training was tragically short-lived. As she received more and more memories from the Giver, she was overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of emotions and experiences, particularly the painful and sorrowful ones. Unlike the rest of the community, which lived in a state of controlled sameness and emotional suppression, Rosemary was exposed to the full spectrum of human experience, including suffering and loss.
Unable to cope with the intense feelings that came with the memories, Rosemary chose to apply for release from the community. In the context of the novel, “release” is a euphemism for euthanasia, although most citizens believe it to be a peaceful exit to an undefined elsewhere. The Giver later reveals to Jonas, the protagonist and new Receiver-in-Training, that Rosemary’s release deeply affected him because she was his daughter.
Rosemary’s decision to end her life had profound consequences for the community. When she was released, all the memories she had accumulated were unleashed upon the citizens, causing chaos and confusion as they were not equipped to handle the sudden influx of emotions and experiences. This event led to the establishment of a rule that the Receiver must be carefully chosen and prepared to bear the burden of memories alone, to prevent such a disaster from happening again. Rosemary’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human need for connection and the ability to process one’s emotions, themes central to the novel’s message.
