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Played by Brenton Thwaites in the 2014 film.

* AgeLift: He's aged up to sixteen in the 2014 film.



Played by Creator/JeffBridges in the 2014 film.



Played by Cameron Monaghan in the 2014 film.



* MeaningfulName: "Asher" means "happy."

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* MeaningfulName: "Asher" means "happy."" Not so much in the film, where he's a serious, unsmiling busybody.



Played by Odeya Rush in the 2014 film.




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* PromotedToLoveInterest: In a sense. Although Jonas has his Stirrings on her in the book, they are at best friends who drift apart as because of their divergent responsibilities. In the film, they share a kiss and [[spoiler: Fiona aids in his escape, for which she is given the death sentence]].



Played by Music/TaylorSwift in the 2014 film.




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* PsychicPowers


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Played by Creator/MerylStreep in the 2014 film.


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Played by Creator/AlexanderSkarsgard (Jonas's father), Katie Holmes (Jonas's mother), and Emma Tremblay (Lily) in the 2014 film.
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--->''[[{{Theater/Hamlet}} "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you, love, remember"]]''

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* TookALevelInBadass: In the film adaptation, [[spoiler:he stalls the Chief Elder long enough to prevent Fiona's execution]].



* DamselInDistress: [[spoiler:During the climax of the film adaptation, in which she's sentenced to Release for her role in helping Jonas escape.]]



* ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people. Especially egregious when [[spoiler: Jonas's father nonchalantly euthanizes a baby.]]

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* ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people. Especially egregious when [[spoiler: Jonas's [[spoiler:Jonas's father nonchalantly euthanizes a baby.]]


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* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In the film adaptation, [[spoiler:Jonas's father realizes that he had been committing institutionalized murder with each Release all along as the memories return to the Community]].
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There\'s no good reason to format a pothole [[LikeThis Like This]]. It just needlessly inflates the page\'s character count.


A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's ''[[Literature/TheGiverQuartet The Giver Quartet]]'', consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Literature/{{Son}}.''

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's ''[[Literature/TheGiverQuartet The Giver Quartet]]'', ''Literature/TheGiverQuartet'', consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Literature/{{Son}}.''
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* PapaWolf: Towards Gabriel.
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The line is so iconic it doesn\'t seem warranted (certainly not being spoilered, anyway)


--> '''[[{{Hamlet}} Ophelia]]''': There's rosemary, that's for [[spoiler: remembrance]]...
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* BigBrotherInstinct: [[spoiler: Despite his growing disillusionment with his Community, it's not until he learns that Gabe is going to be killed that he decides to leave.]]
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* TheFaceless: His appearance is not described. [[In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]

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* TheFaceless: His appearance is not described. [[In [[spoiler: In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]

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* AdaptationalVillainy: She is a minor character in the book. In the film, she is a KnightTemplar villain.

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* AdaptationalVillainy: She is a minor character in the book. In the film, she is a KnightTemplar villain.villain.
* BigBad: Of the film.

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* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: In a way, to Jonas -- while Jonas is from a futuristic society, able-bodied, had been treated well since birth, and male, Kira is from a backwater village, disabled, ostracized because of it, and female. However, they're both determined young people burdened to pass on the history of human civilization. [[spoiler: Also, they end up together.]]
* DeadGuyJunior: In ''Son'', [[spoiler:Her and Jonas's son is named Matthew for Matty and their daughter is named Annabelle for Annabella.]]

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* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: In a way, to Jonas -- while Jonas is from a futuristic society, able-bodied, had been treated well since birth, and male, Kira is from a backwater village, disabled, ostracized because of it, and female. However, they're both determined young people burdened to pass on the history of human civilization. [[spoiler: Jonas eventually has to make a sacrifice by leaving his community and Kira makes a sacrifice by staying in hers, for the betterment of both. Also, they end up together.]]
* DeadGuyJunior: In ''Son'', [[spoiler:Her [[spoiler:her and Jonas's son is named Matthew for Matty and their daughter is named Annabelle for Annabella.]]




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* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Like the Giver, he's a wise old man who's experienced extremely trying times and serves as a source of wisdom to his community. Both of them also [[spoiler: lost their daughters (although Kira and Seer reunite)]] and take gifted young boys under their wing.



* TheFaceless: His appearance is not described. [[spoiler: It's heavily implied, but never outright stated, that the Leader is Jonas. In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]

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* TheFaceless: His appearance is not described. [[spoiler: It's heavily implied, but never outright stated, that the Leader is Jonas. In [[In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]



* MissingMom: To Gabe.

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* MeaningfulName: "Claire" means "clear," as in the horrors of her society becoming clear to her.
* MissingMom: To Gabe. Unlike most examples, she takes an active role in searching for her son.
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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet, consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Literature/{{Son}}.''

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's ''[[Literature/TheGiverQuartet The Giver Quartet, Quartet]]'', consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Literature/{{Son}}.''

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* AmbiguousDisorder: He doesn't meet typical developmental goals for babies/toddlers. It's vaguely implied that he had some kind of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. [[AmbiguousDisorder Note that when the book was written, PDD and Autism were thought to be much rarer than they are today.]]

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* AmbiguousDisorder: He doesn't meet typical developmental goals for babies/toddlers. It's vaguely implied that he had some kind of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. [[AmbiguousDisorder [[ScienceMarchesOn Note that when the book was written, PDD and Autism were thought to be much rarer than they are today.]]


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!!Chief Elder

Leader of The Community. Is the speaker at all of the ceremonies in The Community as well.

* AdaptationalVillainy: She is a minor character in the book. In the film, she is a KnightTemplar villain.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Her real name is never revealed.
* NoNameGiven:
* OnlyOneName: Presumably.

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet, consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Son.''

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet, consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Son.''Literature/{{Son}}.''



* CheerfulChild
* InSeriesNickname: His real name is Gabriel, but pretty much everybody calls him Gabe.
* MysteriousPast: In ''Son.'' He only knows what Jonas has told him, which isn't a lot.

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* CheerfulChild
CheerfulChild: As a baby, he's very loud and happy.
* InSeriesNickname: His real name is Gabriel, but pretty much everybody calls Jonas's father dubs him Gabe.
"Gabe" and it sticks.
* MysteriousPast: In ''Son.'' He only knows what Jonas has told him, which isn't a lot.lot, and is frustrated by his answers of, essentially, "[[CrapsackWorld that's just how it was]]."



* LooseLips: Mentioning to Jamison that Annabella knows there are no beasts in the woods [[spoiler: gets Annabella killed]].



* [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]]

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* [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice]]HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Essentially sacrifices himself to heal the world]].



* TagalongKid: To Kira in ''Gathering Blue.''
* [[spoiler: WorldHealingWave]]: [[spoiler: At the end of ''Messenger'' - effectively healing the world of all evil, but effectively taking his life in the process.]]

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* TagalongKid: To Kira in ''Gathering Blue.''
Blue,'' where he's her eight-year-old sidekick.
* [[spoiler: WorldHealingWave]]: WorldHealingWave: [[spoiler: At the end of ''Messenger'' - effectively healing the world of all evil, but effectively taking his life in the process.]]



* SomeoneToRememberHimBy: Christopher disappeared while she was pregnant, and she never married and raised Kira by herself in memory of him.

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* SomeoneToRememberHimBy: Christopher disappeared while she was pregnant, and she pregnant. She never married remarried and raised Kira by herself in memory of him.



* KilledOffscreen: Dies between ''Messenger'' and ''Son.''



One of the Guardians of Kira's village, a group of wise old men who rule over it and oversee all decision-making. He is appointed as Kira's defender during her trial and later oversees her duties as the Threader.

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One of the Guardians of Kira's village, Guardians, a group of wise old men who rule over it Kira's village and oversee all decision-making. He is appointed as Kira's defender during her trial and later oversees her duties as the Threader.



* [[spoiler: EvilAllAlong]]
* [[spoiler: ManipulativeBastard]]
* [[spoiler: KarmaHoudini]]
* [[spoiler: TreacherousAdvisor]]

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* [[spoiler: EvilAllAlong]]
EvilAllAlong
* [[spoiler: ManipulativeBastard]]
GreenEyedMonster: He was jealous of the power and influence Christopher wielded and set him up to die for it.
* [[spoiler: KarmaHoudini]]
ManipulativeBastard: He defends Kira at her trial in order to gain her trust so she wouldn't suspect she was being used for her gift.
* [[spoiler: TreacherousAdvisor]]
KarmaHoudini: Although we see in ''Messenger'' that Kira's village has gotten better in some aspects, we don't see any direct comeuppance Jamison gets.
* TreacherousAdvisor



* WhyDidItHaveToBeWater: She retains a fear of water after nearly drowning in the sea.
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Birthmothers are kept off the "pills" in order to keep their hormones and such functioning, and when Claire is reassigned nobody tells her to start taking them again, so she doesn't. This results in her feeling deeper feelings for Gabe than she is used to.

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* WhyDidItHaveToBeWater: WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: She performs some pretty amazing things in the name of finding Gabe but retains a fear of water after nearly drowning in the sea.
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Birthmothers are kept off the "pills" that keep deeper feelings in line in order to keep their hormones and such functioning, and when functioning. When Claire is reassigned nobody tells her to start taking them again, so she doesn't. This results in her feeling deeper feelings love for Gabe than Gabe. Too bad nobody can relate to it. After her memories are wiped she is used to.
begins to adjust to it.

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* EasyAmnesia: When Claire wakes up from her shipwreck she can remember her name, but not much else. Her memories begin to come back, although the residents are astounded that things like colors and animals seem completely new to her.




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* WhyDidItHaveToBeWater: She retains a fear of water after nearly drowning in the sea.
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Birthmothers are kept off the "pills" in order to keep their hormones and such functioning, and when Claire is reassigned nobody tells her to start taking them again, so she doesn't. This results in her feeling deeper feelings for Gabe than she is used to.
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* MysteriousWaif: She's this to the seaside community who take her in, as she's young, amnesiac, and is almost childlike in her ignorance of common knowledge such as animals and colors. Of course, to those familiar with the world of ''The Giver'', this is not her own fault.

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* MysteriousWaif: She's this to the seaside community who take her in, as she's young, amnesiac, talks "elegantly" compared to the way the others speak, and is almost childlike in her ignorance of common knowledge such as animals and colors. Of course, to those familiar with the world of ''The Giver'', this is not her own fault.
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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet, consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Messenger'', and ''Son.''

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's Giver Quartet, consisting of ''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Messenger'', ''Literature/{{Messenger}}'', and ''Son.''

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* ThisIsSomethingHesGotToDoHimself: [[spoiler: Why the Giver asks to be left behind in the Community while Jonas escapes, and why, years later, Jonas lets Gabe fight Trademaster by himself]].



* BreakingSpeech: Gives one in ''Son'' to [[spoiler: Trademaster, on how the people he's victimized still manage to find good lives for themselves.]]



* OccultBlueEyes: Has the "pale" eyes linked to "seeing beyond."

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* MysteriousPast: In ''Son.'' He only knows what Jonas has told him, which isn't a lot.
* OccultBlueEyes: Has the "pale" eyes linked to "seeing beyond."
" Gabe's power is veering, in which he can briefly transport himself into another person's body and experience their thoughts and feelings.



* NiceGuy: Claire singles out Jonas's father as being especially kind and friendly.



* CoolBigSis: To Matty.

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* CoolBigSis: To Matty. She teaches him manners.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: In a way, to Jonas -- while Jonas is from a futuristic society, able-bodied, had been treated well since birth, and male, Kira is from a backwater village, disabled, ostracized because of it, and female. However, they're both determined young people burdened to pass on the history of human civilization. [[spoiler: Also, they end up together.]]



* DreamingOfThingsToCome: How her gift manifests itself -- visions of the future appear in her embroidery.



* OccultBlueEyes: Has the blue eyes linked to "seeing beyond."
* PsychicPowers: It's implied her prodigious talent at embroidery is somewhat psychic in origin. This is elaborated on in ''Messenger,'' where she's now able to see temporary visions of the future in her work.
* SupremeChef: It's mentioned in ''Son'' that she's an exceptional cook.
* TextileWorkIsFeminine: Her job is to embroider the Singer's robe while Thomas's is to carve the Singer's staff.



* BigBrotherMentor: To Gabe. It's mentioned in ''Son'' that Gabe really admired and looked up to him.



* {{Courier}}: Matty craves the admiration and prestige of being the village's Messenger.



* MessianicArchetype: [[spoiler: He sacrifices himself so that the residents of Village can find the good in themselves again. It's outright stated in ''Son'' that the villagers found ways to become worthy of his sacrifice.]]



* ShipTease: With Kira, but it's revealed in ''Messenger'' that he's gotten married to someone else.

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* ShipTease: With Kira, with whom he quickly bonds with, but it's revealed in ''Messenger'' that he's gotten they end up married to someone else.
different people.




The young and powerful leader of Village.



* IKnowYourTrueName
* PsychicPowers

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* IKnowYourTrueName
IKnowYourTrueName: His psychic powers allow him to sense a person's true name and purpose.
* PsychicPowersPsychicPowers: He "sees beyond," and uses this power to watch over Village.




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* YoungAndInCharge: It's pointed out that he's much younger than plenty of the people he leads, but is in such a position because of the wisdom brought about by his PsychicPowers.




The antagonist of ''Messenger'' and ''Son'', a mysterious man with the power to grant your wishes at a high price.



* DarkIsEvil: Dark hair, dark outfit, dark outcomes to his wishes...
* DealWithTheDevil: His whole schtick. He'll give you what you want, but his prices require you to trade away the best part of yourself -- for example, it's implied Ramon's mother traded her children's health for a Gaming Machine. But ''refuse'' to trade with him and it's possible you'll be even worse off than when you started -- he cripples Einar for being proud enough to refuse his help.




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* EmotionEater: It's suggested that selfishness, and the chaos and destruction it causes, feed him in some way.
* IShallTauntYou: He gives a big speech out of all the chaos he's caused to Gabe in an attempt to unnerve him.
* MadeOfEvil: According to Leader, he's pure evil. Gabe describes him as a force disguised as a man.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: Claire describes him as surprisingly well-dressed.






* TheDeterminator
* MissingMom

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Claire is a girl from the Community three years ahead of Jonas, whose disastrous first birth (by C-section) terminates her assignment as Birthmother and gets her reassigned to Fish Hatchery. However, thanks to a slip-up by one of the handlers, she can't stop thinking about her son, Number Thirty-Six: whom the readers know as Gabriel. Overwhelmed with love and grief -- feelings she's kept bottled up due to them being forbidden -- after [[spoiler: Jonas takes Gabe on his escape to Elsewhere]], she ends up amnesiac and living with a caring seaside community. As her memories slowly return, she knows she has one goal -- to find her son.

* TheDeterminator
DefiledForever: Few people in her new home want anything to do with her after her TeenPregnancy is discovered.
* MissingMomTheDeterminator: She won't give up on finding her son, even if it means scaling the terrifying cliffs that prevent escape or [[spoiler: having to watch him from afar as he won't believe her story due to her RapidAging]].
* MissingMom: To Gabe.
* MysteriousWaif: She's this to the seaside community who take her in, as she's young, amnesiac, and is almost childlike in her ignorance of common knowledge such as animals and colors. Of course, to those familiar with the world of ''The Giver'', this is not her own fault.


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* RedHeadedHeroine: Of ''Son.'' Her hair is described as coppery and red-gold.
* SignificantGreenEyedRedhead: Her eyes are described as green.
* TeenPregnancy: She gave birth at fourteen, not that this is unusual for the Community -- but it's definitely unusual for the people who take her in, and she's ostracized a little once the knowledge is out.

!!Alys
The old woman who takes Claire in.

* LikeASonToMe: She grows to view Claire as her own daughter.
* TheMedic: She functions as this for the whole community, being skilled with herbs and healing.
* ParentalSubstitute: To Claire.

!!Einar
Once called Fierce Einar due to his rebelliousness, he was the first to climb out of the cliffs that isolate their community -- but fell down just as quickly due to an injury he refuses to talk about. Having been dubbed Lame Einar, he now tends the sheep.

* DisabledLoveInterest: To Claire. Despite his needing a cane to walk they easily bond, and Einar teaches her how to climb.
* {{Fingore}}: Trademaster ''cut off half his foot'' for being too proud to trade.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: InUniverse. Claire [[spoiler: as an old woman frequently wonders what would have happened if she'd just stayed and married Einar]].

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* ParentalSubstitute: He becomes protective of Gabriel, and [[spoiler: when they reappear in ''Messenger'' they have a dynamic like this]].

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* ParentalSubstitute: He becomes protective of Gabriel, and [[spoiler: when they reappear in ''Messenger'' ''Son'' they have a dynamic sort of like this]].this, although Jonas notes he could never have been a true parent to him]].



* DeadGuyJunior: In ''Son'', [[spoiler:her and Jonas's son is named Matthew for Matty.]]

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* DeadGuyJunior: In ''Son'', [[spoiler:her [[spoiler:Her and Jonas's son is named Matthew for Matty.Matty and their daughter is named Annabelle for Annabella.]]



* [[spoiler: DreamWeaver]]



* ABoyAndHisX: His dog Branchie.

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* ABoyAndHisX: His dog Branchie.dogs Branchie and Frolic.



* NonHumanSidekick: Branchie.

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* HeroesLoveDogs: He forms a strong attachment to Branchie and is devastated when he dies. He later adopts Frolic and loves him just as easily.
* NonHumanSidekick: Branchie.Branchie in ''Gathering Blue'' and Frolic in ''Messenger'' after the former's death.



* ThePigPen: Kira often describes him as filthy.

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* ThePigPen: Kira often describes him as filthy. He cleans up by ''Messenger''.


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* IKnowYourTrueName


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* OccultBlueEyes: Has the "pale" eyes (described as blue in ''Gathering Blue'') linked to "seeing beyond."



* PsychicPowers: To a certain extent [[spoiler: in ''Messenger'']].

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* ParentalSubstitute: He becomes protective of Gabriel, and [[spoiler: when they reappear in ''Messenger'' they have a dynamic like this]].
* PsychicPowers: To a certain extent It's vaguely mentioned that he has the capacity to "see beyond." He fully displays this [[spoiler: in ''Messenger'']].



* KeeperOfForbiddenKnowledge: Pretty much his job description.



* OccultBlueEyes: Has the "pale" eyes linked to "seeing beyond."
* PassingTheTorch: Passing over the memories to Jonas is essentially this, as Jonas will take over the duty of Receiver of Memory when the transfer is complete.
* PsychicPowers



* CorporalPunishment: It's mentioned he was once beaten for asking for a "smack" instead of a "snack" when he was hungry.



* PsychicPowers



* AmbiguousDisorder: He doesn't meet typical developmental goals for babies/toddlers. It's vaguely implied that he had some kind of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. [[AmbiguousDisorder Note that when the book was written, PDD and Autism were thought to be much rarer than they are today.]]




to:

* OccultBlueEyes: Has the "pale" eyes linked to "seeing beyond."



* DisabledLoveInterest: [[spoiler: To Jonas.]]

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* DisabledLoveInterest: [[spoiler: To Jonas. Unlike most examples, it's pretty permanent.]]



* LoveInterest: [[spoiler: Possibly, for Jonas.]]


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* HatesBaths: Due to growing up in the Fen, he's never without layers of dirt. He hates it when Thomas forcibly bathes him.

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The main protagonist of ''The Giver'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son.'' At the onset of the first book twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to become the next Receiver of Memory, who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness so they can aid the Community in making decisions the Elders lack the decision to make. As Jonas receives memories of beautiful things such as sunshine, love, and family, as well as terrible things like war and starvation, the more horrified he becomes at how emotionally sterile the community has to be in order to function at all, and he and the Giver set out to change things.

to:

The main protagonist of ''The Giver'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son.'' At the onset of the first book twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to become the next Receiver of Memory, who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness so they can aid the Community in making decisions the Elders lack the decision experience to make. As Jonas receives memories of beautiful things such as sunshine, love, and family, as well as terrible things like war and starvation, the more horrified he becomes at how emotionally sterile the community has to be in order to function at all, and he and the Giver set out to change things.



* NiceGirl: Though [[spoiler: her job of "releasing" old people is not so nice, although she doesn't understand the implications of such an act.]]

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* NiceGirl: Though She's caring and considerate, which makes her a good fit for the job of caring for old people. Although [[spoiler: her job of "releasing" old people is not so nice, although she doesn't understand the implications of such an act.]]



* ReleasedToElsewhere

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* ReleasedToElsewhereReleasedToElsewhere: Her death.



* DisappearedDad: [[spoiler: No, her dad's still out there.]]
** MissingMom: Her mother dies at the beginning of the book.

to:

* DisappearedDad: DisabledLoveInterest: [[spoiler: No, her dad's still out there.]]
** MissingMom: Her mother dies at the beginning of the book.
To Jonas.]]



* DisabilitySuperpower: She's been crippled since birth, but since her mother's death, her [[spoiler: dream]] weaving skills keep her from being killed by the council.



* InsecureLoveInterest: [[spoiler: Downplayed in ''Son'', in which she's still insecure about her deformed leg even after two children with Jonas.]]
* InspirationallyDisadvantaged: She's been crippled since birth, but since her mother's death, her weaving and embroidery skills keep her from being killed by the council, and she later rises above those who scorn her.



!!Christopher
Kira's DisappearedDad. Before his reappearance in ''Gathering Blue'' all that was known of him was that he was taken by beasts.

* DisappearedDad

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!!Christopher
!!Annabella
An old woman skilled in the art of dyeing threads who teaches Kira the skill.

* CoolOldLady: Age hasn't diminished her talent with plants at all.
* HeKnowsTooMuch: [[spoiler: It's heavily implied the Council killed her for knowing that the "beasts" were just them manipulating the residents.]]
* TheMentor: She teaches Kira everything she knows about making dyes -- not with weaving and embroidery, however, as she notes she never had the talent. That comes from Kira's mother and Kira's own innate talent.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: [[spoiler: She's offed when Kira tells the Council that Annabella knows there are no beasts]].

!!Katrina
Kira's kind mother, who died of an unspecified illness prior to ''Gathering Blue''.

* DeceasedParentsAreTheBest: Was always good to her daughter and encouraged her talents -- a stark contrast to [[AbusiveParents the other parents in the setting]].
* MamaBear: Fought vehemently against the Council's orders to have her daughter put to death. It helped that Katrina's own father and husband were influential.
* SoapOperaDisease: Her cause of death was a vaguely-defined illness, although [[spoiler: Kira increasingly suspects she was poisoned by the Council]].
* SomeoneToRememberHimBy: Christopher disappeared while she was pregnant, and she never married and raised Kira by herself in memory of him.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: According to Annabella, Kira strongly resembles her.

!!Christopher/Seer
Kira's DisappearedDad. Before his reappearance in ''Gathering Blue'' all that was known of him was that he was taken by beasts. \n\n In ''Messenger'' it's revealed that in the interim he'd found himself a new home in Village, where he serves as a source of guidance to its residents.

* DisappearedDad
DisappearedDad: To Kira, although they end up reuniting.
* ParentalSubstitute: He becomes one to Matty -- the boy ends up being his eyes while he serves as a much-needed parental influence.



* CoolOldGuy: [[spoiler: At first.]]

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* CoolOldGuy: [[spoiler: At first.]]A renowned hunter and respected Guardian.



* TheChosenOne

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* TheChosenOneBirdsOfAFeather: He and Kira bond thanks to their similar experiences and circumstances.
* TheChosenOne: By the Council, to carve the Singer's staff.
* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: He was taken in by the Council and his gifts were nurtured by them after his parents were killed in a lightning storm. Both of them. At the same time. A little ''too'' convenient...


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!!Jo
A little girl from the Fen in training to become the next Singer. Unlike Thomas and Kira's relative freedom, the Guardians are cruel to her.

* CheerfulChild: She's upbeat and enthusiastic at the Gathering.
* TheChosenOne: To become the next Singer.

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's TheGiver (and its "sequels"). Beware of unmarked spoilers!

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A listing of characters who appear in Lois Lowry's TheGiver (and its "sequels"). Beware Giver Quartet, consisting of unmarked spoilers!
''Literature/TheGiver'', ''Literature/GatheringBlue'', ''Messenger'', and ''Son.''



* TheCameo: In ''Gathering Blue'', Matt describes a boy with "amazing blue eyes."



* NiceGuy: Kind, well-meaning, polite, and wanting to do what's best for the Community.

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* NiceGuy: Kind, Intuitive, understanding, sensitive, kind, well-meaning, polite, and wanting to do what's best for the Community.



* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: His real name is never revealed.

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* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: His real name is never revealed.revealed and he is always just called "Giver" by Jonas and "Receiver" by other characters.
* TheGoodChancellor: His role in the Community is to advise them well based on the memories he's received.



The main character of ''Gathering Blue'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son''. Born with a deformed leg, Kira is ostracized by members of her community and would have been put to death had it not been for her exceptional weaving skills.

* TheChosenOne: Along with Thomas [[spoiler: and Jo.]]

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The main character of ''Gathering Blue'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son''. Born with a deformed leg, Kira is ostracized by members of her community and would have been put to death at birth had it not been for her mother's intervention. Upon her mother's death she is nearly sentenced to die, but is instead singled out for her exceptional weaving skills.skills and is chosen to be the Threader, the person who will embroider the Singer's robe with the history of their people.

* TheChosenOne: Along with Thomas [[spoiler: and Jo.]]Jo, she's chosen by the council to pass on the history of human civilization.



Supporting character in ''Gathering Blue'' and protagonist of ''Messenger.'' Matt is a tyke from the Fen, a swampy region with strange customs and an odd way of speaking. He is at first Kira's only friend and acts as a sidekick of sorts to her. By ''Messenger'', he's been adopted by Christopher and has taken on the name "Matty."



* OnlyFriend: After Kira's mother's death, he's at first the only person willing to interact with her.
* ThePigPen: Kira often describes him as filthy.



Kira's DisappearedDad. Before his reappearance in ''Gathering Blue'' all that was known of him was that he was taken by beasts.



One of the Guardians of Kira's village, a group of wise old men who rule over it and oversee all decision-making. He is appointed as Kira's defender during her trial and later oversees her duties as the Threader.



The Carver, a boy Kira's age singled out by the Guardians for his amazing woodcarving skills (much like Kira). His job is to carve the Singer's staff with key events so the Singer would not forget their place in the Song.



* ShipTease: With Kira, but it's revealed in ''Messenger'' that he's gotten married.

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* NiceGuy: He helps Kira adjust to her new way of living.
* ShipTease: With Kira, but it's revealed in ''Messenger'' that he's gotten married.
married to someone else.

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* ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people in his community, Jonas takes things that would be downright horrifying to many people as normal.

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The main protagonist of ''The Giver'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son.'' At the onset of the first book twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to become the next Receiver of Memory, who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness so they can aid the Community in making decisions the Elders lack the decision to make. As Jonas receives memories of beautiful things such as sunshine, love, and family, as well as terrible things like war and starvation, the more horrified he becomes at how emotionally sterile the community has to be in order to function at all, and he and the Giver set out to change things.

* ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people in his community, Jonas takes things that would be downright horrifying to many people as normal.normal -- although once he receives memories of better times, he realizes how horrible the Community is to make its residents live this way.



* SomeoneHasToDoIt: How he deals with his duties as the Receiver of Memory.

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* SomeoneHasToDoIt: How he deals with his duties as the Receiver of Memory.



* CharacterTitle

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The current Receiver Of Memory, who selects Jonas to become his replacement, a lonely, isolated man who carries all the memories of the time before Sameness. He considers them a burden, but cares deeply about Jonas and the Community and looks out for their best interests.

* CharacterTitleCharacterTitle: The titular "Giver" of the novel, although his real title is Receiver.



** NoNameGiven



* MyGreatestSecondChance: After the startling failure of the previous Receiver-in-training, he is determined to do right by Jonas.
* NoNameGiven: His real name is never revealed.



Jonas's best friend, a cheerful boy whose main concern is having fun -- as such, he's assigned to become the next Assistant Director of Recreation. Although their friendship is genuine, the knowledge Jonas has to bear puts a strain on their friendship.



Jonas's closest female friend, a kind and gentle girl who is assigned to care for the people at the House of the Old.



* NiceGirl: Though [[spoiler: her job of "releasing" old people is not so nice.]]

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* NiceGirl: Though [[spoiler: her job of "releasing" old people is not so nice.nice, although she doesn't understand the implications of such an act.]]



* [[spoiler: DrivenToSuicide: She couldn't take the horrors of the memories she received and decided to kill herself. This prompted the community to add a new rule, in that future Receivers of Memory cannot ask to be released.]]

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The previous Receiver-in-training. When she failed in her duties, the Community had to absorb the horrifying memories she'd received. Determined not to let this happen again, she was unpersoned by the Community and took great pains in choosing Jonas to be Rosemary's successor.

* [[spoiler: DrivenToSuicide: She couldn't take the horrors of the memories she received and decided to kill herself. This prompted the community to add a new rule, in that future Receivers of Memory cannot ask to be released.]]



* MeaningfulName: Boy howdy. After [[spoiler: her suicide]] the community banned her name, decreeing that it was never to be used for a new child again.

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* MeaningfulName: Boy howdy. After [[spoiler: her suicide]] suicide the community banned her name, decreeing that it was never to be used for a new child again.



* PosthumousCharacter

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* PosthumousCharacterPosthumousCharacter: Her suicide took place years before the story starts.



* {{Unperson}}

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* {{Unperson}}
{{Unperson}}: All records of her are wiped and her name can never be used for a new child. The Giver is the only one who speaks of her.



A newchild informally adopted by Jonas's family due to his slightly stunted development. He and Jonas form a strong bond, especially after Jonas realizes that he can Receive memories as well.




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* InSeriesNickname: His real name is Gabriel, but pretty much everybody calls him Gabe.




Jonas's family, consisting of his parents and little sister, Lily -- although like the rest of the family units, none of them are biologically related. Like the rest of the Community, they are ConditionedToAcceptHorror and remain oblivious to Jonas's increasing distance.



* BureaucraticallyArrangedMarriage: Like all other marriages in the Community, the Elders decided that Jonas's parents would get married based on the compatibility of their traits.



* NuclearFamily: Minus the dog, as pets don't exist in the Community.

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* NuclearFamily: Minus the dog, as pets don't exist in the Community. Invoked by the Community, as all families are intentionally set up like this.
* SexlessMarriage: Jonas's parents, as sexual urges are kept at bay by the pills.
* UnnamedParent: Both of Jonas's parents are unnamed.







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The main character of ''Gathering Blue'' and supporting character in ''Messenger'' and ''Son''. Born with a deformed leg, Kira is ostracized by members of her community and would have been put to death had it not been for her exceptional weaving skills.
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The Messiah has been disambiguated between Messianic Archetype and All Loving Hero. Bad examples and ZCE are being removed; if you disagree, please readd with sufficient context.


* TheMessiah: [[spoiler: In ''Messenger'', Leader gives him the name of ''Healer'' - and his purpose really is to heal the world.]]

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* ConditionedToAcceptHorror
* TheChosenOne

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* ConditionedToAcceptHorror
ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people in his community, Jonas takes things that would be downright horrifying to many people as normal.
* TheChosenOneTheChosenOne: To become the next Receiver of Memory.



* HeroesWantRedheads: He has his Stirrings on Fiona.
* [[spoiler: InferredSurvival: It's strongly hinted in ''Messenger'' that Leader is Jonas: the mentions of his blue eyes, his sister, and Fiona, the sled makes an appearance, and that he first discovered his powers via an apple.]]
* LoveInterest: Fiona [[spoiler: and implied in ''Messenger,'' Kira.]]

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* HeroesWantRedheads: He has his Stirrings on Fiona.
Fiona. [[spoiler:He ends up with the dark-haired Kira, though.]]
* [[spoiler: InferredSurvival: [[spoiler: It's strongly hinted in ''Messenger'' that Leader is Jonas: the mentions of his blue eyes, his sister, and Fiona, the sled makes an appearance, and that he first discovered his powers via an apple.]]
* LoveInterest: Fiona [[spoiler: and implied in ''Messenger,'' Kira. He graduates to full-on OfficialCouple with the latter.]]



* NiceGuy
* OnlyOneName

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* NiceGuy
NiceGuy: Kind, well-meaning, polite, and wanting to do what's best for the Community.
* OnlyOneNameOfficialCouple: [[spoiler: By ''Son'', he and Kira have two children together.]]
* OnlyOneName: Justified; surnames do not exist in the Community.



* SomeoneHasToDoIt

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* SomeoneHasToDoItSomeoneHasToDoIt: How he deals with his duties as the Receiver of Memory.



* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal: Jonas's parents are this to Jonas. It's especially so for the father after Jonas saw a recording of the former "releasing" a twin baby. In the sequels Jonas does not even refer to them as his parents anymore, instead calling them "the people who raised him."]]

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* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal: Jonas's BrokenPedestal: [[spoiler:Jonas's parents are this to Jonas. It's especially so for the father after Jonas saw a recording of the former "releasing" a twin baby. In the sequels Jonas does not even refer to them as his parents anymore, instead calling them "the people who raised him."]] "]]
* ConditionedToAcceptHorror: Like most people. Especially egregious when [[spoiler: Jonas's father nonchalantly euthanizes a baby.]]



* NuclearFamily: Minus the dog.

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* NuclearFamily: Minus the dog.dog, as pets don't exist in the Community.






* DeadGuyJunior: In ''Son'', [[spoiler:her and Jonas's son is named Matthew for Matty.]]



* TheMedic: [[spoiler: In ''Messenger'', Leader gives him the name of ''Healer'' - and his purpose really is to heal the world.]]

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* TheMedic: LikeBrotherAndSister: He and Kira have this dynamic; she acts as the CoolBigSis to his TagalongKid. Solidified when Christopher adopts him.
* TheMessiah:
[[spoiler: In ''Messenger'', Leader gives him the name of ''Healer'' - and his purpose really is to heal the world.]]



* {{Sidekick}}

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* {{Sidekick}}{{Sidekick}}: To Kira at first, although he graduates to full-on Hero in ''Messenger''.






* TheFaceless: [[spoiler: It's heavily implied, but never outright stated, that the Leader is Jonas. In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]

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* TheFaceless: His appearance is not described. [[spoiler: It's heavily implied, but never outright stated, that the Leader is Jonas. In the fourth and final book, ''Son'', it's outright stated that he and Jonas are the same person.]]]]
* TheLeader: Of his community.



* ShipTease: Done rather subtly with Kira. [[spoiler: When he first sees Kira, he describes her as being beautiful.]]

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* ShipTease: Done rather subtly with Kira. [[spoiler: When he first sees Kira, he describes her as being beautiful. By ''Son'', they have two kids together.]]




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* RapidAging: Trademaster's bargain for [[spoiler:remembering her son is taking her youth, rendering her as an old woman. She gets better]].

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[[/folder]]

[[folder: ''Son'']]
!!Claire
* TheDeterminator
* MissingMom

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YMMV


* NiceGuy
* NightmareFuel: Some of the memories he gets from the Giver.
** WarIsHell: He receives one about a dying (implied to be Civil War) soldier. And it lasted for ''hours''.

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* NiceGuy
* NightmareFuel: Some of the memories he gets from the Giver.
** WarIsHell: He receives one about a dying (implied to be Civil War) soldier. And it lasted for ''hours''.
NiceGuy
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Added DiffLines:

!!Trademaster
* BigBad: The instigator of the main problems in ''Messenger'' and ''Son''.
* TheDreaded: To the people in the Village after the events of ''Messenger''.
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* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal: Jonas's parents are this to Jonas. Its especially so for the father after Jonas saw a recording of the former "releasing" a twin baby. In the sequels Jonas does not even refer to them as his parents anymore, instead calling them "the people who raised him."]]

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* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal: Jonas's parents are this to Jonas. Its It's especially so for the father after Jonas saw a recording of the former "releasing" a twin baby. In the sequels Jonas does not even refer to them as his parents anymore, instead calling them "the people who raised him."]]
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Added DiffLines:

* [[spoiler:BrokenPedestal: Jonas's parents are this to Jonas. Its especially so for the father after Jonas saw a recording of the former "releasing" a twin baby. In the sequels Jonas does not even refer to them as his parents anymore, instead calling them "the people who raised him."]]

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