Gabriel

The weak newchild

Gabriel is an important character in the novel The Giver by Lois Lowry, especially because of Jonas’ relationship with him. Gabriel is a baby in the Nurturing Center where Jonas' father works. The father describes him as a child "with a lovely disposition" (Chapter 1, 64%). 

However, Gabriel is not developing physically as fast as he should. In addition, he does not sleep through the nights, which is a condition of placement with a family. There is a risk that Gabriel could be released (Chapter 1, 73%).

Jonas' father is worried about the baby. He wants to ask the Committee of Elders for permission for the boy to come to Jonas' family at night for a while to practice sleeping and to develop better. All the family members agree . When he brings the baby home, he calls him Gabe. The other family members also use this nickname later .

Gabriel seems to be an inquisitive child. Jonas notes that Ganriel has the same eyes as him: "It was the first thing Jonas noticed as he looked at the newchild peering up curiously from the basket. The pale eyes" (Chapter 3, 0%). 

This is very unusual, because most members of the community have dark eyes (Chapter 3, 14%). The light eyes connect Gabriel and Jonas. Jonas reflects that they now had a "newchild with his pale, solemn, knowing eyes" (Chapter 3, 100%).

Gabriel and Jonas

When Gabriel becomes a One at the December Ceremony, he ...