What are stirring in The Giver?

Stirrings are feelings of "wanting." The additional implications are that they occur at the onset of puberty, and involve the first sexual feelings of adolescence. When Jonas dreams that he wants to bathe Fiona, his parents privately inform him that this feeling of "wanting" is a normal part of growing up, experienced by both males and females. People of both genders in the community begin taking a pill at the onset of puberty, indicated by the first "stirring."