Discussion Topic
The significance and symbolism of Gabriel in Lois Lowry's The Giver
Summary:
In The Giver, Gabriel symbolizes hope and the potential for change. His presence in Jonas's life represents the possibility of a different future, one filled with emotion and freedom. Gabriel's innocence and vulnerability highlight the flaws in the society's strict control and lack of genuine human connection.
What does Gabriel symbolize in The Giver?
Gabriel, the small child that Jonas's father brings home to nurture, represents family and hope to Jonas and to the readers. For starters, he represents family. Jonas quickly notices that he and Gabriel have those light colored eyes in common. He even wonders if they had the same birth mother (which would make Gabriel literally his family!). Gabriel unknowingly teaches Jonas to love, which was basically unknown to Jonas. Gabriel cries at night, and Jonas is the only one who can calm him. This allows Jonas to step into a nurturing family role, which is something that would happen naturally in our society, but was not allowed in theirs.
Gabriel also represents hope for Jonas and the readers. He is young, and innocent, and provides Jonas with the strength and courage he needs to escape from their society of Sameness. Jonas loves Gabriel, and this gives him hope that...
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life can be better like he's witnessed in his sessions with The Giver. Because Gabriel has become family, their only hope is to leave in order to save Gabriel's, and ultimately Jonas's life. Their journey and ultimate freedom give them the hope they need to continue on until they reach their destination.
What is the significance of the character Gabriel in Lois Lowry's The Giver?
In order to create a thesis statement about Gabriel, take into account the facts and details of his life as pertaining to the community and to Jonas. For instance, Gabriel is an innocent victim of the society in which he is born. Because he doesn't sleep through the night, maintain his weight, or develop like the other children, Gabriel must be "released" (killed). Another aspect about Gabriel is that he has light-shaded eyes like Jonas has. Everyone else has dark eyes so Gabriel's eyes make him unique. It is possible, too, that Jonas and Gabriel could share the same birth mother because of the shade of their eyes. These facts and details make Gabriel significant because he catches Jonas's attention more and more as these characteristics are unveiled. A brotherly connection is solidified when Jonas takes Gabriel into his room at night and soothes him by giving him happy memories. Gabriel is not immune to pain after receiving memories, but Jonas and the reader gain more insight to the purpose of memories through this interaction with Gabriel. Hence, Gabriel is the closest thing to a brother and family that Jonas has. This correlates with the Giver's favorite memory of a family enjoying a Christmas evening together. Gabriel, therefore, is not only a symbol of family for Jonas, but he is also a symbol of the needless efforts lost on a community who "releases" babies who aren't "perfect" in order to secure a "perfect" community.