Ritualistic and Symbolic Space: The auditorium serves as a sacred and ritualistic space where the Ceremony of Twelve is held. It exudes an air of formality, tradition, and continuity within the rigidly controlled society. The solemn and ceremonial atmosphere of the auditorium emphasizes the importance of the transition that the young people are about to undertake.
Revelation and Knowledge: When Jonas is chosen as the Receiver of Memories, the auditorium becomes a place where he receives secret and hidden knowledge from the Giver. By stepping away from the controlled, sanitized environment of the community into this confined and private space, Jonas experiences profound revelations and gains understanding about the past and the complexities of life beyond his limited existence.
Emotional Resonance: The auditorium amplifies the emotional impact of the story's turning points. Jonas's growing apprehension, fear, and eventually his rebellious resistance are brought into sharp focus within the confines of the auditorium. It becomes a powerful location for conveying Jonas's inner turmoil, the awakening of his emotions, and the challenges he faces as he becomes more aware of the limitations and injustices in his society.
Contrast with the Superficiality of the Community: The auditorium, with its rituals and symbolic traditions, stands in contrast to the surface-level uniformity and regulated behavior enforced in the community. The controlled society lacks genuine emotions and individual identity, making the auditorium a site where individuality, curiosity, and the exploration of human potential emerge amidst conformity.
Decision-making and Choice: The auditorium becomes the setting for Jonas's ultimate choice at the end of the novel. It highlights his struggle between conformity and independence, between the safety and comforts of his known world, and the urge to liberate himself and find a more authentic existence. The auditorium underscores Jonas's agency and serves as a platform for his personal revolution.
Metaphorical Arena for Society's Dysfunctions: On a broader level, the auditorium acts as a metaphor for the controlled, insular, and restrictive nature of the community itself. It represents the limitations imposed on individuals and their access to knowledge, autonomy, and emotional growth. The auditorium, therefore, becomes a microcosm of the society's inherent dysfunctions and the need for profound transformation.
In summary, the auditorium setting in "The Giver" provides a symbolic and crucial backdrop for profound rituals, emotional revelations, decision-making, and a critique of the society's restrictive structure. It reflects the characters' inner journeys, the quest for authentic experiences, and the transformative power of knowledge in their quest for a more meaningful existence.