In a seemingly utopian society, people live under strict rules that eliminate pain, conflict, and deep emotions. Everything is controlled and people lack the ability to choose things for themselves, from family units, career assignments, even what food they eat. To assure that pain and conflict don't recur, memories of the past are erased from public knowledge.
One individual is chosen to receive and safeguard these memories, uncovering hidden truths about the world. That person has the ability to release the memories of the past, however this utopia would cease to exist if they did, and with it, pain, conflict, and free choice would return.