Jonas learns almost immediately after the Ceremony of Twelve that the loneliness and sense of apartness predicted during the Ceremony will go beyond his training as the Receiver of Memory and enter all aspects of his life. This deeply unsettles him because he has always obediently remained a member of the group during his childhood years, and to go against years of training to be part of the community is difficult for him. Even Asher, who comes to represent the larger community in his interactions with Jonas, treats Jonas differently, realizing that Jonas has somehow been set apart by his post. Jonas has been greatly honored, but to be honored is to be separated.