Gathering Blue Character Analysis

It is not what is seen that circles the mind, it is the unseen. Books, movies and society in general present the “unseen” and the “unknown” to develop the characters and plots. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry illustrates the “unseen” and the “unknown” through the rumors associated with the beasts. Kira, the main character, along with her friends discover the truth from exploring what society does not see. The “unseen” and “unknown” elements throughout the novel facilitate Kira’s knowledge of the dystopian society as well as her future. Initially, readers are introduced to Kira, an orphan who is physically flawed in her society. Kira is attempts to continue living in the dystopian society after recently losing her mother. Her first obstacle occurs while dealing with Vandara, a woman who is admired, yet
Gossip directs Kira into believing that her father was killed from the beasts, however this represents the “unknown” that shapes Kira’s character. Physically impaired and left without family, Kira struggles to survive on her own. Although she encounters several obstacles, she has no choice but to keep moving on. The beasts, otherwise known as the “unknown,” are the one element that triggers fear for Kira throughout the novel. The beast do not represent the wild animals, however, they symbolize the physically flawed individuals in society. Matt describes the “beasts” saying “Them be all broken, them people…Like you. Some don’t walk good. Some be broken in other ways” (210). Several times throughout the novel, readers think of the beasts as horrific animals but truly they are people who are physically impaired. Annabella, a four syllable woman, foreshadows that the beasts are not what they are described as when she says “There be no beast” (122). Lowry clears shows readers that Kira has nothing to fear because the beasts are just people like