Summary of Chapter Three of The Giver and the Podcast Discussion

This chapter introduces the reader to a newchild named Gabriel, who is brought to Jonas's family home by their father. The newchild has pale eyes, an uncommon trait in their community that Jonas himself shares. Seeing the newchild reminds Jonas that light eyes convey a certain "depth" to a person, much like peering into the depths of a river.

Lily, Jonas's younger sister, is excited about the newchild and dreams of being assigned the role of Birthmother. However, her mother firmly discourages this aspiration, stating that the role carries "very little honor". Instead, she suggests that Lily consider becoming a Nurturer if she enjoys caring for children. Observing his talkative sister, Jonas humorously thinks that being a Speaker might be a better fit for Lily. He envisions her making announcements throughout the community, such as those used to address rule violations.

The conversation about announcements leads Jonas to recall an incident where he was publicly reprimanded for taking an apple home from the recreation area. This incident, and the strange experience he had with the apple seeming to change momentarily in mid-air, continues to puzzle him.

While his family focuses on the newchild, Jonas tries to concentrate on his schoolwork. The chapter concludes with the family settling into their peaceful evening routine, now with the added presence of Gabriel and his unusual eyes.

About this Deep Dive
The podcast hosts discuss chapter three in detail, focusing on the literary elements that make it so compelling. They highlight Lois Lowry’s use of vivid imagery, internal monologue, symbolism, and foreshadowing. The hosts believe that Lowry skillfully uses these techniques to engage readers and encourage them to think critically about the novel’s themes.
The hosts see the “apple incident” as symbolic and mysterious, connecting it to Jonas’s unusual eyes. They suggest that the apple might represent knowledge or change, concepts that the community might be trying to suppress. The arrival of Gabriel, who also has pale eyes, is seen as foreshadowing, hinting at a significant connection between him and Jonas and suggesting that they might challenge the community together.

The hosts point out that the story’s third-person limited point of view allows the reader to experience the world through Jonas’s eyes, fostering a sense of unease about the community. They also observe that Lowry effectively uses Jonas’s internal monologue to give readers access to his thoughts and feelings, creating a sense of intimacy and drawing them into his journey of discovery.

The hosts conclude their discussion by reflecting on the key messages of The Giver. They believe the novel encourages readers to think independently and challenge societal norms, to embrace what makes them unique, and to cultivate empathy for those who are different. They express hope that The Giver will inspire readers to consider what kind of world they want to create—a world that celebrates individuality and allows everyone to reach their full potential.