What does Jonas learn about color? When was color lost?

In Ch. 12, Jonas learns that color exists. He can actually see color, as can the Giver. That is one way in which Jonas is able to "see beyond." Jonas doesn't even know the word "color" when he sees the apple's color for the first time. Later, he sees Fiona's hair, which is red, and also does not know how to describe it. It is not until the Giver explains it to him that he,...

In Ch. 12, Jonas learns that color exists. He can actually see color, as can the Giver. That is one way in which Jonas is able to "see beyond." Jonas doesn't even know the word "color" when he sees the apple's color for the first time. Later, he sees Fiona's hair, which is red, and also does not know how to describe it. It is not until the Giver explains it to him that he, and we the readers, understand that they live in a world mostly without color.

"Once, back in the time of the memories, everything had a shape and size, the way things still do, but they also had a quality called color. There were a lot of colors, and one of them was called red. That's the one you are starting to see."

The community lost color when it went to Sameness. Although, we come to understand that they "never completely mastered" it, according to the Giver. Hence, Fiona has red hair when she shouldn't, and the apple probably should not have any color either.