The Giver

Jessica Schwartz

LIT 203

Meg Martin

11/28/06

Literary Elements in ‘The Giver’

By Lois Lowry

The literary element that I chose for this piece of work is symbolism, as it

seems to run heavily throughout the book. The first recognizable symbol is baby Gabriel

who is a working metaphor for the future, as babies often are. He symbolizes a new

future not only for Jonas, but also for the community as things are to change with his

disappearance. He also represents hope. He represents a longing for success on behalf of

Jonas, and also a human connectionrivaled by only The Giver.

The sled is another symbol. It is a symbol of memory and of the power that

memory weilds. It becomes a strong enough force to propel Jonas forward in a time

of great need of strength and endurance.

The river is a symbol of the uncontrollable. It flows away from the community

and is out of the control of the community. The only loss that is not attempted to be

eradicated altogether from memory is that of a child named Caleb, who was lost to the

river.