Son – Lois Lowry (2012)

Son (2012) by Lois Lowry concludes the Giver Quartet, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience. The story follows Claire, a young woman in a dystopian society, as she embarks on a harrowing journey to reclaim her son, Gabe. Through her odyssey, Lowry intertwines past characters and settings from The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Messenger, culminating in a profound meditation on humanity’s capacity for hope and redemption.

Plot Summary

In a meticulously controlled society, Claire is selected as a Birthmother at the age of twelve, marking the start of a life stripped of ambition or personal connection. Unlike others in her role, Claire harbors a quiet unease about her purpose. At fourteen, she gives birth to a baby boy, a process that goes wrong, necessitating a surgical delivery. The child is taken from her immediately, and Claire is dismissed from her position as a Birthmother due to medical complications. She is reassigned to the Fish Hatchery, but her thoughts remain consumed by the baby she delivered—her son, Thirty-six.

Despite the rigid rules of her community, Claire’s yearning for her son deepens. She volunteers at the Nurturing Center where the infants are cared for before being assigned to family units. There, she learns that her son is struggling to thrive and is unlikely to be assigned. She grows attached to him during her secret visits, where she learns his unofficial name: Gabriel, or Gabe. The bond between Claire and Gabe intensifies, even as she keeps her emotions hidden in a society that discourages personal attachments.

When Gabe is taken into the care of Jonas, a boy who flees the community with him, Claire’s world collapses. Desperate to follow, she boards a supply boat that leaves the community, but a storm wrecks the vessel, leaving her stranded in an unfamiliar village by the sea. Claire survives but suffers memory loss, retaining only the haunting sense that she has lost someone precious. The villagers take her in and teach her their ways, and she begins to rebuild her life, all the while plagued by an emptiness she cannot explain.

In time, Claire regains fragments of her memory. She recalls her name and her son, and her determination to find him reignites. She seeks help from Einar, a reclusive man who lives atop a steep hill near the village. Einar, who once attempted to escape the area but failed after enduring great pain, teaches Claire how to climb the treacherous cliff that separates the village from the world beyond. Their bond grows as Claire learns from him, and he shares the story of his own suffering at the hands of the Trademaster, a shadowy figure who extracts terrible prices for his deals.

The climb is grueling, but Claire’s resolve is unshakable. She reaches the summit and begins a solitary journey through an unfamiliar landscape. The physical challenges are immense, but the emotional toll of her separation from Gabe spurs her onward. Eventually, she comes to a village, vibrant and warm, where she finds Jonas, now a man, living with his family. Gabe, grown into a spirited young boy, is in Jonas’ care. Claire watches him from afar, overwhelmed by the realization that she has found her son but is unable to approach him openly.

The Trademaster, a figure of greed and malevolence, lurks nearby. He offers Claire a deal: she can reclaim her son, but she must surrender her youth. Desperate and determined, Claire agrees, and the Trademaster drains her vitality, leaving her aged and frail. Yet, she feels no regret, for her sacrifice has brought her closer to Gabe. However, she chooses to remain in the background, observing him from a distance, not wanting to disrupt his life or force a bond he may not understand.

Gabe, meanwhile, is unaware of Claire’s presence but begins to sense her love through an intuitive connection. His ability, a gift he has always possessed, allows him to sense others’ emotions. With Jonas’ guidance, Gabe learns about his unique talent and the burden it carries. When the Trademaster threatens the harmony of their village, Gabe confronts him, using the strength of his gift to vanquish the malevolent figure. The Trademaster’s defeat is symbolic of overcoming greed and corruption through love and purity of purpose.

The village celebrates its newfound peace, and Gabe discovers the truth about Claire’s sacrifice. Though she is weak, her love for him radiates with undiminished strength. The two finally reunite, their bond transcending the years and the trials that have kept them apart. Gabe’s love and gratitude restore Claire’s spirit, even as her body remains frail. Together, they find solace in the knowledge that their connection, forged through unimaginable sacrifice and unyielding devotion, will endure.

Main Characters

• Claire: A Birthmother in a strictly controlled society, Claire experiences an emotional awakening after delivering her son, Gabe. Her maternal bond and unrelenting determination drive her quest to reunite with him, shaping her growth into a fiercely resilient and compassionate figure.

• Gabe: Claire’s son, whose separation from her sets the central narrative in motion. As he matures, Gabe develops an inner strength and curiosity that make him crucial to the story’s climax.

• Jonas: Protagonist of The Giver, he returns as a protective figure who nurtures Gabe and fosters an atmosphere of courage and hope in their village.

• Trademaster: A sinister figure embodying greed and corruption, representing the dangers of sacrificing humanity’s core values for personal gain.

• Einar: A hermit who aids Claire in her quest. His own tragic past lends him the wisdom to guide her through formidable challenges.

Theme

• Maternal Love and Sacrifice: Claire’s journey highlights the power of maternal love and the sacrifices a parent is willing to endure. Her bond with Gabe drives her to defy the constraints of her dystopian society and confront personal and physical challenges.

• Identity and Individuality: The series’ exploration of identity culminates in Claire’s reclamation of her role as Gabe’s mother, showcasing the importance of self-awareness and personal growth in shaping one’s destiny.

• The Power of Community: The story celebrates the strength and resilience that arise from collective effort, as Jonas’ village works together to confront threats and protect its people.

• Hope and Redemption: Despite despair and loss, Lowry emphasizes the enduring nature of hope, suggesting that redemption is possible even in the darkest circumstances.

• The Corruption of Power: Through the Trademaster, Lowry critiques the allure of power and greed, warning against the moral compromises it demands.

Writing Style and Tone

Lois Lowry’s writing in Son blends simplicity with lyricism, creating a narrative that is both accessible and deeply poignant. Her prose is unadorned but evocative, capturing the starkness of Claire’s dystopian origins and the lush vitality of the natural world she encounters on her journey. The narrative structure is distinctive, divided into three parts (Before, Between, and Beyond), each with a unique rhythm that mirrors Claire’s evolution.

The tone shifts seamlessly between despair and hope, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of Claire’s quest. Lowry’s use of allegory and symbolism, particularly in the character of Trademaster, infuses the story with layers of meaning. The style emphasizes introspection, allowing readers to connect intimately with the characters’ emotional landscapes.