The Giver: Characters

Jonas – The protagonist of the novel, Jonas is thoughtful, intelligent, sensitive, and compassionate. He feels confused by some of the rules of the community, although he obeys them, and longs for human touch even before he understands it. Set apart from his friends by his pale eyes and his ability to see color, he is selected to be the next Receiver when he turns 12. When he discovers beauty, pain, love and death under the tutelage of The Giver, he becomes frustrated with the community’s ignorance and convinces The Giver to help him change it. In order to become truly wise, Jonas must learn completely selfless love for Gabriel and his community and be willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of another’s.

The Giver – Known as the Receiver until Jonas becomes his trainee, The Giver is a kind, elderly man whose breadth of experience through memory makes him look and seem older than he actually is. Although he lives in luxurious quarters and does not have a very active life, he is weighted down by the memories he carries and is often subjected to crippling pain. He is wise and patient with Jonas, and grows to love him as he loved his previous trainee, Rosemary. His grief and sense of hopelessness after Rosemary’s death is later transformed into enthusiasm for Jonas’s idea for escape. The Giver demonstrates total selflessness by offering to remain behind in order to help the community cope with the influx of memories. He willingly offers Jonas his most precious memories of love and music, and his selflessness inspires Jonas to risk his own life to save Gabriel.

Gabriel – The small fretful newchild whom Jonas’s father takes home with him in order to help him sleep at night. Gabriel has pale eyes like Jonas and The Giver, which Jonas later learns are the color blue. Jonas discovers he is able to transmit memories to Gabriel, which means that, like Jonas, Gabriel is also capable of great emotional depth. Jonas’s desire to save Gabriel from being released spurs Jonas’s rebellion against the community.

Jonas’s Father – A kind, caring man, Jonas’s father is a Nurturer who looks after newchildren until they are given to families. He becomes attached to the babies he cares for and breaks small rules for their sakes, such as learning their names and bringing Gabriel home to look after him better. However, Jonas’s father likes the way the community is structured, and because he does not understand what death means, he believes it is right to release children if they are too weak to be given to families. Although he claims not to believe in love, Jonas’s father comes close to showing loving emotions to his children. Jonas feels love and affection for his father, which is why he feels betrayed when he discovers that his father is responsible for killing the babies. Jonas’s father shows the limitations that the community places on those who might otherwise be fully loving individuals.

Jonas’s Mother – An intelligent, practical woman who takes her role as a mother and her position at the Department of Justice very seriously. She tries hard to reform criminals to prevent their “release” and fulfills all her duties as a mother.

Lily – Jonas’s younger sister who turns eight when Jonas turns 12. She loves telling stories and is the first to suggest that Jonas and Gabriel might be related.

Asher – Jonas’s fun-loving friend who is assigned the job of Assistant Director of Recreation. Jonas’s greatest concern for Asher is that he speaks without thinking and often confuses words, which is a great shortcoming in the community.

Fiona – One of Jonas’s friends, who is assigned to be a Caretaker of the Old. Jonas begins taking a pill when he has an erotic dream about Fiona. Jonas later discovers that Fiona’s hair is red. Fiona enjoys having Jonas as a friend but does not know how to love him in return.

Rosemary – The Giver’s trainee before Jonas. She asked to be released when she discovered the pain and loneliness of memory. The Giver later reveals that Rosemary was his daughter.

Larissa – The old woman whom Jonas bathes in the House of the Old. She believes that being released is a joyous occasion.

Chief Elder – The elected leader of the community. She knows each child and gives the Assignments at the ceremony.

Committee of Elders – The group of elders that makes decisions for the community, like Matching Spouses, Assignments, and rules. The Giver advises the Committee.

Caleb – A four-year-old boy who drowned in the river. His parents are later given a newchild with the same name.

Roberto – An old man who is released from the House of the Old. After his death, his name is given to a newchild.