The Giver Symbols Flashcards

Study Notes

Pale Eyes

Symbolize clear and deep thinking, as well as separation from community norms.
Jonas, Gabriel, and The Giver possess pale eyes, marking them as different.
Only characters with pale eyes perceive color, indicating their ability to experience true emotions.

The Sled

Represents freedom and the journey of memory transfer between Jonas and The Giver.
The initial sled ride signifies joyful memories, while later rides reveal pain and the connection between joy and suffering.
Used as a means for Jonas to escape the confines of his community.

The Color Red

Indicates Jonas's uniqueness as he can see color, unlike the rest of the community.
Symbolizes strong emotions, including love and desire, particularly in Jonas's feelings for Fiona.
Color perception signifies Jonas's awakening to true emotions and choices.

Gabriel

Embodies hope, life, and potential change, representing Jonas's emotional growth.
Jonas's bond with Gabriel signifies access to feelings, especially love, that are suppressed by community rules.
Catalyst for Jonas's decision to escape, seeking emotional maturity and security.

Memories

Serve as symbols of hope, providing Jonas with real human emotions and a desire for a better life.
Memories encourage Jonas to leave the community, offering glimpses of beauty, pain, and connection to humanity.
Significant memories include experiences of joy, pain, and the complexities of life.

The River

Acts as a barrier between the community and free thought or action.
Symbolizes change and the concept of escape; crossing it represents leaving one’s past behind.
The river is also associated with danger, highlighted by events like Caleb's drowning.

The Pills

Represent the suppression of natural desires and emotions, eliminating the choice of mate and family structures.
Taking pills is mandatory upon experiencing "stirrings," as demonstrated in Jonas’s dreams about Fiona.

Animals

Symbolize feelings and the emotional richness that the controlled society has removed.
Represent both the beauty and pain of life; memories involving animals evoke profound empathy and joy.
Animals in the story signal emotional release and freedom, particularly at the narrative's conclusion.

Mirrors

Symbolize differences and self-reflection, which are absent in the community.
Lack of mirrors reinforces the community's sameness and discourages individual judgment or morality.

Names

Jonas's name has biblical significance, parallel to Jonah, who flees from truth and ultimately seeks it.
Names in the story reflect deeper meanings and connections, enhancing character depth through symbolism related to memory and truth.

Bikes

Symbolize the process of growing up and gaining independence in the community.
Bicycles represent the transition into community life, marking a move away from familial protection.
Jonas’s use of a bicycle to rescue Gabriel illustrates independence and action against societal constraints.

Ribbons

Represent enforced conformity and the suppression of individuality among children.
Mandatory hairstyles for girls signify social restrictions, contrasting with the natural human spirit's desire for freedom and expression.

Description

Explore the key symbols in 'The Giver' with these flashcards. Understand the significance of elements like pale eyes and how they reflect deeper themes of individuality and perception. Perfect for students looking to deepen their analysis of the text.