The Giver Symbol Analysis

A key symbol in The Giver is the apple, for its ability to symbolize change. For example, when Asher and Jonas are playing catch with it, Jonas sees the apple “change” mid-air, and then return to its original state. The author Lois Lowry states,”But suddenly Jonas had noticed, following the path of the apple through the air with his eyes...the apple had changed,”(30). Jonas is finally seeing beyond, and he is interpreting the color red for the first time. Another reason the apple represents change is because since Jonas can see the color change, there was a flaw in the genetic engineering, which also means that the Elders failed at creating a “perfect” race and society. The apple helps us realize that change is necessary to humanity, because