Symbolism

Lowry does a wonderful job of incorporating symbols into this novel, symbols like the newchild Gabriel, the sled and the river help further the messages and themes of the story.

• The Newchild Gabriel: The baby Gabriel stands for the rebirth of a new community that embraces individuality and hope. Since Gabriel is still growing up, he has not completely absorbed the strict regulations of the old community and this allows him to be the symbol of hope for change. It is also important to note that he has the same memory receiving abilities that Jonas possesses, and was also going to be released from the community until Jonas saved him. This highlights Gabriel's individuality and his potential for a new start.
• The sled: The first memory the giver transfers to Jonas is one of a sled going down a snow bank, and the sled as a symbol keeps appearing throughout the novel. The sled going down the hill is also a perfect metaphor for Jonas' journey, exhilarating at first, then more and more difficult as snow gathers and slows the sled. It is also important to remember that the first time Jonas experiences true pain is when the giver transfers him a memory of the sled rider breaking his leg during the ride. The sled is like a double edged sword, enjoyable and dangerous. To tie all of this together he ends up finding a real sled at the end of the book, signifying his escape from the old community to the new community where emotion and color exist in real life and not just in dreams.
• The River: The river also has multiple appearances in the novel; the little boy, Caleb, drowns in the river, and when Jonas runs away with Gabriel they hide by the river to survive. The river runs to Elsewhere, this is just the sort of unknown that people in the community do not speak of, overall, it symbolizes freedom from the strict community.