Identify an overwhelming theme of the novel.

The overwhelming theme of the novel is that the idea of something may not actually translate in reality. What I mean by this is that many people may 'think' that an utopian society would be an amazing thing to have, an amazing place to live. But the reality of having your individuality striped from you may not cross your mind until it is actually done. I also feel that there is a theme of embracing our differences throughout the novel.

What is symbolic about Jonas' and the Newchild's eyes?

Everyone in Jonas' community is the same. They have the same experiences and emotions. They live in pretty identical families, where they do the same things. Everyone has brown eyes in this community except for Jonas and the Newchild, who both have light eyes. This is symbolic for a couple of reasons. One reason is because it shows or hints to the fact that there are some differences in this community meaning that maybe there are some weak links. Another reason this is symbolic because it could be seen as a way of foreshadowing that Jonas and the Newchild are somehow different from everyone else.