Editor's Choice
Why might the Giver already know about Gabriel before Jonas mentions him?
Quick answer:
The Giver likely knows about Gabriel before Jonas mentions him due to his unique role in the community. As the Receiver of Memory, The Giver has access to extensive information, including updates on community events through his video screen. Additionally, as a key figure among the Elders, he may have been informed about Gabriel's status when Jonas's father requested more nurturing time for the child. His close attention to Jonas, his successor, also contributes to his awareness of Gabriel.
Jonas first tells The Giver about Gabriel in chapter 13. When he mentions Gabriel, who he at first calls his brother, The Giver responds by saying that he knows about Gabriel.
Since he has been The Receiver of Memory, and still is while Jonas is in training, The Giver has to receive all the memories in the community. This obviously means that he has to keep up to date with everything that is happening. One way that he does this is through his video screen. He can request to see whatever is happening whenever he needs to. It is an essential and continuous task. This is one way in which The Giver knows about Gabriel.
Furthermore, as an important member of the Committee of Elders, he may also have heard Jonas's father's request that the newchild should be given an additional year of nurturing. The Committee responded positively to...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
Jonas's father's appeal and declared Gabriel Uncertain.
The Giver has access to way more information than regular people in the community do. I can think of at least a couple of different ways that he might have known:
First, the elders sometimes confer with the Receiver about difficult issues. He might have heard about Gabe in that way.
Second, the Receiver would have been paying a lot of attention to Jonas. After all, he is considering Jonas to be his replacement and so he would surely have wanted to know all about him. This seems to me to be the most likely thing -- he would have found out about Gabe while researching Jonas.