The Giver: Characters

Jonas

Jonas, the protagonist, is a sensitive, polite, and compassionate twelve-year-old boy. He seems more intelligent and perceptive than many of his peers; his pale eyes are a metaphor for his ability to “see” past his own community and into a world that he can only imagine. At the December Ceremony, he is selected to become the new “Receiver of Memory,” the most honored position in the community. Understandably, Jonas, who prefers to blend in with his friends, is uncomfortable with the attention he receives when he is singled out as the new Receiver.

Once Jonas begins his training with the Giver, he feels cut off from the people he cares about. He is prohibited from sharing the memories passed on to him by the Giver with his family or friends. As the Giver transmits more memories to him, Jonas begins to feel burdened. Still just a young boy, the memories of war, pain, and hunger are very difficult for Jonas to process, especially because he cannot share the misery with anyone else.

By the end of the novel, Jonas understands that there can be no joy without pain and suffering.

The Giver

The Giver, an elderly man, is Jonas’ predecessor. The Giver shows the reader what would have happened to Jonas had he chosen to remain the Receiver. He has infinite wisdom, but the burden of memories has taken a toll on his mental and physical health. He looks older than he actually is. The Giver is extremely stoic and remains unmoved even by the most horrific events.

Despite hardships, the Giver is nonetheless determined to help Jonas escape the community and lead a life of love and compassion. His love for Rosemary also pushes him to help Jonas. The Giver’s patience, wisdom, and restraint make him an excellent teacher and mentor.

Jonas’ Father

Jonas’ father is a shy, quiet, considerate, and caring man. As the community’s Nurturer, he is responsible for managing the physical and emotional needs of newborns during the first few months of their life. In the character of Jonas’ father, Lowry subverts gender roles. Though readers might expect Nurturers to be women, Jonas’ father takes on the role with comfort and ease.

He is also responsible for the “release”—killing—of infants deemed worthless on account of an identified emotional or physical flaw, or both. Like other members of the community, Jonas’ father is able to practice detachment while dealing with newborns.