In Literature symbolism...

can take many forms, including: A figure of speech where an object, person, or situation has another meaning other than its literal meaning. The actions of a character, word, action, or event that have a deeper meaning in the context of the whole story.

Symbols in "The Giver"

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Blue Eyes 

Jonas, The Giver, and Gabriel The impossibility of the community's efforts to control nature completely, no matter how hard it tries. Those who are different who are able to notice the differences in others.

Snow Covered Hill 

The hill, for Jonas, represents a gateway to Elsewhere. Riding a red sled down the hill is his first memory and his first awareness of the color red. It signifies his realization that outside his community there is a world not dominated by Sameness.

The River 

The river forms a border of the community before continuing on to Elsewhere. As a border, the river comes to symbolize escape—crossing the river means leaving the community.

Gabriel 

Symbol of hope and new beginnings for Jonas As a child who is "different," he represents all the individuals in the society that are either a threat to the established order or simply unwanted because they do not fit the parameters of Sameness that have been established in the community

The Sled 

The sled symbolizes Jonas's journey through memories. This also means it's a symbol of Jonas's journey of discovery.

Colors 

These colors also effectively symbolize the black-and-white nature of the community as a whole, where rules must be followed and there are few "shades of gray" when it comes to acceptable behavior.

RED: He's seeing passion, fire, and loveLIGHT-BLUE EYES: differences

Fire and Candle

Warmth represents the feelings that come from a sense of community, and from human connections and love, while light represents understanding, knowledge, and perhaps hope.