In chapter 18, Jonas asks the Giver about release. The Giver tells him about the previous Receiver-in-training, Rosemary, and what happened when she was released after just five weeks of training and memories. All of the memories she had received during that time flooded back to the citizens of the community and he had to help them cope with all of those feelings. Jonas wondered what would happen if he just happened to fall into the river and drown. The Giver said that Jonas has many more memories than Rosemary had; so, if he died, the community would suffer worse than they did after her release. Jonas tells him not to worry because he just happens to be a good swimmer. The Giver responds with the following remarks:
"'I'm glad you're a good swimmer, Jonas. But stay away from the river.' He laughed a little, but the laughter was not lighthearted. His thoughts seemed to be elsewhere, and his eyes were very troubled" (181).
The Giver seems to suggest staying away from the river as a serious joke. As oxymoronic as that sounds, he probably feels it's better not to tempt fate even if Jonas is a good swimmer. However, this conversation seems as if it might have planted seeds into the Giver's mind about a plan he later reveals to Jonas. When the Giver tells Jonas to flee the community and to cross the border, it may have been from his experience with Rosemary as well as this conversation about the river that gave him the plan to overthrow Sameness.
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