the giver
stock
character description
The Giver is one of the "Elder" in the community. He is the Receiver of Memory and the one that is going to be training Jonas to take his job in the future. The Receiver of Memory holds all of the community's memories. He helps the Chief Elder make important decisions based upon the memories. He is wise, patient, and quiet. He looks really old, but he is not. The Giver feels love, pain and can see color. The Giver has lived a very lonely life even though he lives in a comfortable room, eats good meals, and takes long walks. He is not allowed to talk with anyone regarding the memories. The Giver knows that the community needs change but has accepted the fact that the community has gone too far and nothing can change, until Jonas' arrival.
The Giver is a stock character because when he is introduced, your immediate thought goes to the wise old man. Examples of wise old men are Gandalf from The Hobbit and Dumbledore from Harry Potter.
The Giver is a stock character because when he is introduced, your immediate thought goes to the wise old man. Examples of wise old men are Gandalf from The Hobbit and Dumbledore from Harry Potter.
character's evidence
The Giver is a stock character. He is a stereotypical old man who really does not need a description in the book. When the Giver is first mentioned in the book, the author does not go into deep description of who the Giver is as she did with the other character. The introduction of the Giver is as follows: "The man looked at him thoughtfully, silently. It was a look that combined interest, curiosity, concern, and perhaps a little sympathy as well. Finally he spoke. "Beginning today, this moment, at least to me, you are the Receiver". pg. 75 The author before this only said that the man looked old and that he was wearing clothes that only the Elders wear. The author purposely stated that he was an old man knowing that our minds would know that he is the stereotypical old man, the stock.
gabriel
static
character description
Gabriel is a newborn in the book. Gabriel is having a difficult time sleeping soundly throughout the night. Jonas father brings him home in hope of helping him sleep soundly and advance him to the level of the other newborns. Although Gabriel will be living with the family for a while the rules of the society states that the family must not be attached to the newborn and must let him go back when the time comes. Gabriel is described as a sweet and adorable newborn. Gabes, as he is called, has a stuffed hippo toy that is used as his comfort object. Gabe sleeps in Jonas' room. Jonas tries helping Gabe to sleep by transferring memories of hippos to comfort him and to let him know that hippos do exist regardless of what the community believes. Jonas continues to transfer memories to Gabe in order to comfort him and help him sleep soundly. Over time, Jonas and Gabe develop a strong bond. Jonas' plan to escape from the community is disrupted when he finds out that Gabe is going to be returned to the nurturing center for release. Jonas grabs Gabe in order save him and takes off with him to "elsewhere".
character's evidence
Gabriel is a static character as evident of his inability to sleep soundly throughout the night . Even though Jonas tries helping him by transferring memories. Gabriel displays little to no change during the book but plays a major role in the plot of the book. Gabriel is a newborn who Jonas transfers memories to help him sleep soundly throughout the night. Jonas becomes fond of him and eventually falls in love with him. When Jonas learns that Gabriel is going to be returned to the nurturing center for release. Jonas decides to save his life by escaping with him to "elsewhere".