From chapters 15-18 in The Giver, give textual evidence of the conflict and of unconditional love.

The major conflict in The Giver is the Receiver vs Sameness. Without Sameness a Receiver of Memory would not be needed. If a Receiver weren't needed, then the old man and Jonas would not have the burden of living a lonely life smitten with pain and suffering. Also, the people living in the community would have freedom of choice rather than remain forced to follow the controlling rules of the Council of Elders. Overall, though, the Receiver has the worst job, and greatest conflict, of all. For example, in chapter 15, Jonas helps the Giver by alleviating some of the pain from the memory of warfare, as in the following passage:

"From the distance, Jonas could hear the thud of canons. Overwhelmed by pain, he lay there in the fearsome stench for hours, listened to the men and animals die, and learned what warfare meant. Finally, when he knew that he could bear it no longer and would welcome death himself, he opened his eyes and was once again on the bed" (120).

This passage shows the unnecessary pain and suffering forced upon the Receiver in order for the people of the community to live without it and for the sake of Sameness. This also shows the unconditional love that Jonas has for the Giver because he is willing to suffer this to relieve his pain and not hold a grudge afterwards. The Giver thanks Jonas by giving him good memories for many days following the war memory, which is also loving.

In chapter 16, Jonas learns about unconditional love through the memory of  Christmas time as a family give gifts to each other. He also learns about grandparents and wishes that he had some. Chapter 17 shows kids like Asher playing "war" which they don't really understand. Jonas feels the intensity of his conflict with Sameness due to the disregard for death that the children feel. Jonas is conflicted because he can't tell them what is wrong with playing "war," and he is left alone with his thoughts:

"Jonas trudged to the bench beside the Storehouse and sat down, overwhelmed with feelings of loss. His childhood, his friendships, his carefree sense of security--all of these things seemed to be slipping away" (135).

This passage shows that the conflict for Jonas is real. After experiencing the memories, he will never be the same inside and his friends will never be able to relate to him ever again. At the same time, though, he also shows unconditional love for his friends: "He felt such love for Asher and for Fiona" even after they argue about the war game. He can feel a deeper love for them because of the memories and understands that they will never understand. 

Finally, in chapter 18, we discover the Giver's unconditional love for Rosemary, his daughter and the former Receiver-in-Training who died because of the conflict with the memories. It's as if Rosemary symbolizes the conflict and the love all at once. The Giver describes his side of the Rosemary saga as follows:

"It broke my heart, Jonas, to transfer pain to her. But it was my job. It was what I had to do, the way I've had to do it to you" (141).

What a very difficult and conflicting life to live! The Receiver has the worst job in all of the community for the burdens of joy and sorrow, happiness and pain, are all wrapped up into one horrible life, all in the name of Sameness.