After witnessing his father kill an infant during a release ceremony, Jonas experiences a myriad of emotions and is overwhelmed with anger, contempt, and disgust. In chapter 20, the Giver and Jonas formulate a plan for Jonas to escape the community and permanently alter their society by eliminating Sameness. Jonas attempts to convince the Giver to flee the community with him, but the Giver insists on staying to help the citizens cope with the powerful, traumatic memories. Before Jonas returns home, the Giver tells him,

I love you, Jonas... But I have another place to go. When my work here is finished, I want to be with my daughter. (Lowry, 165)

The Giver then reveals that his daughter's name was Rosemary. In chapter 18, Jonas inquires about the previous Receiver of Memory, which is a touchy subject for the Giver to discuss. The Giver's reluctance and hesitation reveal that the previous Receiver was someone he genuinely cared about. The Giver goes on to tell Jonas that her name was Rosemary and mentions that he loved her, which is the same feeling Jonas experienced when he was given the memory of the family and grandparents.

By mentioning that he loved Rosemary and alluding to the family in the transferred memory, Lowry foreshadows the revelation that Rosemary was the Giver's daughter. The Giver's reluctance to transfer physically painful memories to Rosemary also foreshadows that they are related. The Giver's desire to end his life and be with his daughter is also foreshadowed by his constant exhaustion and extreme physical pain. Jonas has arrived at the Giver's dwelling numerous times and has been told to leave because the Giver is in too much pain. It is clear to the audience that the Giver is ready to die but must fulfill his duty to Jonas and the community before he passes away.