→ In the novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas is a brilliant example of the character trait maturity, because he is very responsible, he accepts his job with a positive attitude, and he behaves like an adult when he takes matters into his own hands.

Throughout the book, Jonas is very responsible. There are many examples throughout the book of him being sensible and mature. Like the Chief Elder says, he was a top student, which meant he was compelled to be responsible. In the book, the Chief Elder says that when he has made mistakes, he has always come and apologized in the correct manner. For instance, “Jonas has, like all of us, completed minor transgressions... we accept that. We hoped, also, that he would present himself promptly for …show more content…
Even though he was shocked at the rules for his job, he takes them in with an adult-like attitude, and doesn’t lose it. To demonstrate; “The exemption from rudeness startled him. Reading it again, however, he realized that it didn’t compel him to be rude; it simply allowed him the option. He was quite certain he would never take advantage of it. He was so completely, so thoroughly accustomed to courtesy within the community that the thought of asking another citizen an intimate question, of calling someone’s attention to area of awkwardness, was unnerving.” This quote shows how calmly he took the rule, even though it was a colossal change for his community. He simply read the rule, and reassured himself of its changes. Any other citizen of the community, perhaps someone like Asher and Fiona, would have been wringing their hands out in worry when they saw the rule about being able to lie, or not being able to take medication in relation to their training. However, yet again, Jonas did not even blink or bat an eye when it came to those rules. When it came to the eighth rule, the rule about being able to lie, however, Jonas, though still shocked, assessed the situation quite calmly and maturely compared to what others would perhaps have done. He did envision and predict what might happen, however; “His mind reeled. Now, empowered to ask questions of utmost rudeness- and promised answers-- he could, conceivably …show more content…
For example, when Jonas learned that Gabriel was going to be released, he took matters into his own hands and brought him along on his journey to Elsewhere. “First, he had left the dwelling at night. A major transgression. Second, he had robbed the community of food: a very serious crime, even though what he had taken was left-overs, set out on the dwelling doorsteps for collection. Third, he had stolen his father’s bicycle. He had hesitated for a moment, standing beside the bikeport in the darkness, not wanting anything of his father’s and uncertain, as well, whether he could comfortably ride the larger bike when he was so accustomed to his own. But it was necessary because it had the child seat attached to the back. And he had taken Gabriel, too.” This quote unquestionably conveys that Jonas, no matter how old he is, undeniably is mature beyond his years. To care so much about a baby who he is not even related to, in a community full of unfeeling commoners; that is certainly an act of maturity right there. Furthermore, take the case of when Jonas and Gabriel were both dying on the trip to Elsewhere; and Jonas just wanted the baby to be safe; “Gabriel had not cried during the long frightening journey. Now he did. He cried because he was hungry and cold and terribly weak. Jonas cried, too, for the same reasons, and another reason as well. He wept