Jonas gradually left home. He turned left and right and saw the Eights starting to ride their bicycles and the Twelves who were excited to receive their work assignments. As he strapped on his helmet and got on his bike, he saw an apple that his friend was throwing change at. It was instant. One second there, the next gone. His friend had a confused expression when Jonas asked him if he had seen the change. Maybe it had been a hallucination. What had it been? It was color. Imagine a perfect society. One in which there is no fighting, discrimination, war. This is the Giver's society. The Giver is full of symbols and themes that reflect on the lives of people in modern societies and government control in Jonas' society. The underlying theme in The Giver is the idea of ​​control imposed on society to achieve perfection, and the symbols, including the sled, the river, and Carl Nelson, illustrate the life and society in which Jonas lives. Therefore, The Giver reflects on contemporary society through its themes and symbols. Within the Giver, there is a recurring theme of control and uniformity that has been imposed by the government to achieve perfection and form a utopian society like theirs. Color, being a major source of discrimination within countries, was a factor removed from society. Without the diversity that comes with color, their society has been able to achieve uniformity and identity. However, with the introduction of identity into their community, they were unable to express their individuality. Without the distinct colors we have in life, there would be no differences or creativity within the community that... middle of paper... once able to see in color and eventually losing its ability, illustrated the his society which originally perceived the world with color but then abandoned it. Therefore, the sled, illustrating Jonas' life and experiences, the river, showing change, and Carl Nelson, representing the acts of the Giver and his society, were symbols within the Giver. In conclusion, The Giver, through the use of an underlying theme and various symbols reflected on society and modern life. Using the theme, Lois Lowry described how control is necessary to form a perfect society; However, there are also great losses that must be borne. Furthermore, symbols such as the sleigh, the river and Carl Nelson also illustrate society and life. As the eminent Giver said to Jonas: “We have gained control of many things. But we had to let the others go.” (95)