God cursing Ham is an allusion to a biblical story in Genesis 9 where Noah cursed his son Ham to forever be a servant to his brothers, making every person descended from Ham be scripturally
enslaved. Frederick Douglass uses this allusion to explain how since slaveholders justify slavery with this bible story, very soon this will not work because many slaves are being born to white fathers.
Literature, however, can be said to be the mirror of life, because it reflects and comments on aspects of things people encounter in their daily lives. Even futuristic novels such as The Hunger Games can reflect life, despite the fact that its world is alien to the modern human being.
Jonas feels worried enough that he does not particularly wish to share his feelings, but he knows that to hide them is against the rules. Consequently, when it is his turn to speak, he explains that he feels apprehensive about the approaching Ceremony of Twelve. Jonas has no idea what his vocation will be. In response, his parents send Lily to bed because they wish to speak privately with Jonas.
