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Why did the community make the distinction between "selection" for Receiver of Memory and "Assignment" for all other occupations in The Giver?

Jonas is selected for a rare assignment of great honor, while the other assignments are routine.


When a child in Jonas’s community turns Twelve, he or she gets an occupation.  These are basically the same ones we have in our world: teachers, doctors, caretakers, and so on.  There are a few jobs unique to Jonas’s community.  The most unique is the Receiver of Memory.


The Ceremony of Twelve is going normally until Jonas’s number is skipped.  There are fifty children born in a year, and they are assigned a number for birth order.  Jonas is Nineteen.  When his number should be called, the Chief Elder goes to Twenty.  At first Jonas thinks he has done something wrong.


The Chief Elder apologizes for the embarrassment and confusion she caused and explains.



"Jonas has not been assigned," she informed the crowd, and his heart sank.


Then she went on. "Jonas has been selected."


He blinked. What did that mean? He felt a collective, questioning stir from the audience. They, too, were puzzled. (Ch. 8) 



The Chief Elder tells the audience that Jonas has been selected Receiver of Memory.   This is a rare assignment, and it is one of great honor and responsibility.  She also explains that the current Receiver has had the position for a long time, and they failed in their last selection.  Jonas was carefully watched before he was chosen. 



"Jonas was identified as a possible Receiver many years ago. We have observed him meticulously. There were no dreams of uncertainty.


"He has shown all of the qualities that a Receiver must have." (Ch. 8) 



Jonas has the traits needed for this job.  He was chosen because he has intelligence, courage, integrity, and the Capacity to See Beyond.  He also shows the potential for wisdom.  This makes Jonas the ideal candidate for this unusual job. 


The Chief Elder makes a big deal out of Jonas’s selection because the Receiver of Memory is very important to the community.  He holds the community’s collective memory.  A fully trained Receiver advises the community on important decisions.  They have no sense of history, so they rely on the Receiver.  


From this point on, Jonas will be different from everyone else in his community.  He has a position of honor and responsibility.  He is the only one with emotions.  Eventually, he will realize that something is very wrong, and decide that it is his responsibility to change things.  He will escape and return the memories to everyone.

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