Chapters 1 & 2 Don't be apprehensive towards something until you know the answer. "Though he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn't the slightest idea what Assignment the Elders would be selecting for his future, or how he might feel about it when the day came." (Lowry, 19)
Chapters 3, 4 & 5 Being different isn't a bad thing "Almost every citizen in the entire community had dark eyes. His parents did, Lily did, and so did all of his group members and friends. But there were few exceptions: Jonas himself, and a female Five who he had noticed had different, lighter eyes." (Lowry 20)
Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12 If you believe in it you will be able to see it. "Sled, he knew abruptly. He was sitting on a thing called a sled. And the sled itself seemed to be poised at the top of a long, extended mound that rose from the very land where he was. Even as he thought the word "mound', his new consciousness told him hill. (Lowry 81)
Chapters 13 & 14 Change can be a scary prospect "He was not aware of giving the memory; but suddenly he realized that it was becoming dimmer, that it was sliding through his hand into the being of the newchild. Gabriel became quiet. Startled, Jonas pulled back what was left of the memory with a burst of will." (Lowry 116)