Sameness has been chosen by the elders to replace individuality, resulting in predictability. Everyone gets a bike when they are nine, all clothes are identical, curfew is strictly enforced. No one even has a last name. They are partitioned into units, regardless of affection or interests. Politeness masks any awkwardness. Rules have rendered emotions unnecessary, and they are neatly disposed of with daily injections. 

Jonas is the young man who is selected to carry the memories of the whole community, and is gradually introduced to snow, music, dancing, colors, ethnicity, faith, and the animal kingdom. But the Giver must also impart on him the painful memories, like poaching, and war. He stopped the emotion numbing practice long ago and can feel joy, exuberance, and horror. 

It is true, that people choose badly. We hurt when we should heal, flounder when it would be more efficient to stride. But the cost of protecting ourselves from failure is high. God would say too high. 

Jonas takes an incredible risk when he rejects the traditions of his people. Having tasted the sweetness of love, he can no longer be content merely to be cordial. 

Marriage is vulnerable to all kinds of chaos. After all we are innately flawed, and prone to selfishness. But to hold us back from falling is to rob us of the chance to stand.