Christmas Joy, Family Bonds

The Whittaker family—John, Liz, teenage Tommy, and little Annie—revel in the joys of a 1950s Midwestern Christmas. Their home is filled with laughter, traditions, and dreams for the future. Annie, a late-in-life blessing, is the center of their world, adored by her parents and especially by her big brother, Tommy. The family's happiness is palpable, their bonds strong, and their sense of security unshakeable. The warmth of their home, the anticipation of the holidays, and the simple pleasures of togetherness set the stage for the story's exploration of love, loss, and the fragility of happiness.

Tragedy Strikes, Grief Unfolds

On Christmas, Annie falls ill with what seems a mild flu, but her condition rapidly deteriorates. Despite reassurances, she is soon hospitalized with meningitis. The family's world collapses as Annie slips away, leaving them devastated. The funeral is a communal outpouring of grief, but the Whittakers are left isolated in their pain. Each family member is consumed by guilt and sorrow, unable to comfort one another. The once-happy home becomes a place of silence, anger, and emotional distance, as the family struggles to find meaning and a way forward after such a senseless loss.

Maribeth's Secret Shame

In a nearby town, sixteen-year-old Maribeth Robertson faces her own crisis. After a single, impulsive encounter with a popular senior, she becomes pregnant. Her strict, traditional father reacts with fury, banishing her from the family home and insisting she give the baby up for adoption. Maribeth's mother is powerless to help, and her siblings are left confused and heartbroken. Alone and frightened, Maribeth is sent to a convent to await the birth, but the oppressive environment and her longing for freedom drive her to run away, determined to find her own path.

Exile and Escape

Maribeth boards a bus with no clear destination, eventually stopping in a small college town. She finds work at a local diner, fabricating a story of widowhood to explain her situation. The kindness of strangers, especially her new friend Julie, offers her a glimpse of hope. Maribeth is resourceful and determined, but the weight of her secret and the uncertainty of her future are ever-present. She is haunted by the knowledge that she cannot keep her baby, yet she is desperate to find a place where she belongs, even if only temporarily.

New Town, New Hope

Settling into her new routine, Maribeth finds solace in the rhythms of work and the anonymity of her new town. She rents a small room, keeps to herself, and tries to stay focused on the future. Her intelligence and work ethic earn her respect at the diner, and she begins to imagine a life beyond her current troubles. Yet, the reality of her pregnancy and the impending loss of her child loom large, making it difficult for her to fully embrace the hope that her new circumstances offer.

Tommy and Maribeth Meet

Tommy, still reeling from Annie's death and the disintegration of his family, becomes a regular at the diner. He is drawn to Maribeth's quiet strength and intelligence, and she, in turn, is comforted by his gentle presence. Their friendship blossoms as they share stories, dreams, and the pain of their respective losses. Both are outsiders in their own ways, seeking connection and understanding. Their bond deepens, offering each a measure of healing and the possibility of love.

Healing Through Friendship

As Tommy and Maribeth spend more time together, they help each other confront their grief and fears. Tommy opens up about Annie, finding comfort in Maribeth's empathy and wisdom. Maribeth, in turn, confides her secret, trusting Tommy as she has trusted no one else. Their relationship becomes a lifeline, giving them both the courage to face the challenges ahead. Through their friendship, they begin to rediscover hope and the capacity for joy, even in the shadow of loss.

Secrets Revealed, Hearts Open

Maribeth's pregnancy becomes impossible to hide, and Tommy's parents learn the truth. Liz and John, initially shocked, come to admire Maribeth's resilience and intelligence. Liz, especially, becomes a mentor and advocate, helping Maribeth continue her education and envision a future beyond her current predicament. The Whittaker home, once fractured by grief, is slowly revived by Maribeth's presence and the renewed sense of purpose she brings. The lines between family and friendship blur, as love and acceptance begin to heal old wounds.

Love Grows, Choices Loom

Tommy and Maribeth's friendship deepens into love, but the reality of Maribeth's pregnancy and her determination to give the baby up for adoption complicate their future. Tommy wants to marry her and raise the child together, but Maribeth is adamant that they are too young and that the baby deserves more than they can provide. The couple grapples with questions of responsibility, sacrifice, and the meaning of family, even as they dream of a life together. Their love is tested by circumstance, but it endures, shaped by the choices they must make.

The Gift of Sacrifice

As Maribeth's due date approaches, she decides to offer her baby to the Whittakers, believing they can give her child the love and stability she cannot. Liz and John, after much soul-searching, accept Maribeth's gift, recognizing it as both an act of love and a chance for their family to heal. The adoption is arranged, and Maribeth gives birth to a healthy baby girl, Kate, surrounded by the Whittakers' support. The moment is bittersweet—filled with both joy and sorrow—as Maribeth lets go, trusting that she has done what is best for her child.

A Family Reborn

With Kate's arrival, the Whittaker family is transformed. Liz and John rediscover their love for each other, and Tommy finds comfort in the knowledge that his sister's memory is honored through the new life in their home. Maribeth, though heartbroken, is at peace with her decision, knowing that her daughter will be cherished. The family, once broken by loss, is made whole again—not by replacing what was lost, but by embracing the gifts of love, forgiveness, and second chances.

Letting Go, Moving Forward

Maribeth prepares to return to her family, bolstered by the Whittakers' support and the promise of a college education. She reconciles with her parents, though the relationship remains complicated. The pain of parting from Tommy and Kate is profound, but Maribeth is determined to build a future for herself. The Whittakers, too, must adjust to their new reality, grateful for the gift they have received and the healing it has brought. The story ends with hope, as each character looks toward the future, changed by the love and loss they have experienced.

Promises for the Future

Tommy and Maribeth part with promises to remain in each other's lives, their bond unbroken by distance or circumstance. The Whittakers embrace their new daughter, honoring Annie's memory while celebrating the family they have become. Maribeth, empowered by her experiences, sets out to claim the life she deserves. The novel closes on a note of gratitude and hope, affirming that even in the face of tragedy, love endures, and the gifts we give each other—of compassion, sacrifice, and forgiveness—are what make life meaningful.

Characters

Tommy Whittaker

Tommy is a teenager whose world is upended by the sudden death of his beloved younger sister, Annie. Once the golden boy of his family, he is left adrift in a home fractured by grief and silence. Tommy's journey is one of healing—first through his friendship and then his love for Maribeth. He is compassionate, loyal, and wise beyond his years, yet still vulnerable and longing for connection. His relationship with Maribeth helps him process his loss and rediscover hope, while his willingness to support her through her pregnancy demonstrates his deep capacity for empathy and selflessness. Tommy's growth is marked by his ability to love, forgive, and embrace the future, even as he honors the past.

Maribeth Robertson

Maribeth is a sixteen-year-old girl whose life is derailed by an unplanned pregnancy. Cast out by her rigid, judgmental father, she is forced to navigate adulthood alone. Maribeth is resourceful and determined, refusing to be defined by her mistakes. Her intelligence and ambition set her apart, and her longing for education and independence drives her forward. Maribeth's greatest act of love is her decision to give her baby to the Whittakers, a sacrifice born of wisdom and selflessness. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to forgive herself, trust others, and claim her right to a future beyond her circumstances.

Liz Whittaker

Liz is the heart of the Whittaker family, a mother devastated by the loss of her daughter. Her grief isolates her from her husband and son, but the arrival of Maribeth and the prospect of a new child rekindle her sense of purpose. Liz is compassionate, wise, and fiercely protective, becoming a mentor and surrogate mother to Maribeth. Her willingness to open her home and heart to another's child is both an act of healing and a testament to her strength. Liz's journey is one of renewal, as she learns to embrace life's gifts, even when they come in unexpected forms.

John Whittaker

John is a loving husband and father whose world is shattered by Annie's death. He struggles to support his family, often retreating into work and silence. John's initial resistance to adopting Maribeth's baby gives way to acceptance, as he recognizes the opportunity for healing and renewal. His relationship with Liz is tested by grief but ultimately strengthened by their shared commitment to family. John's arc is one of quiet resilience, as he learns to let go of the past and embrace the possibilities of the present.

Annie Whittaker

Annie is the cherished youngest child of the Whittaker family, whose sudden death is the novel's inciting tragedy. Though her life is brief, her impact is profound—her loss exposes the fragility of happiness and the depth of familial love. Annie's memory haunts her family, shaping their grief and their journey toward healing. She is a symbol of innocence lost, but also of the enduring power of love and the gifts we give each other, even in absence.

Maribeth's Father (Bert Robertson)

Bert is a product of his time—strict, traditional, and deeply concerned with appearances. His inability to forgive Maribeth or support her through her crisis reflects his own limitations and fears. Bert's harshness is both a source of Maribeth's pain and a catalyst for her independence. His eventual, if grudging, acceptance of her return suggests the possibility of growth, but his emotional distance remains a barrier to true reconciliation.

Maribeth's Mother (Margaret Robertson)

Margaret is a gentle, loving woman trapped by her husband's authority and her own fears. She longs to support Maribeth but lacks the strength to defy Bert. Her sorrow and regret are palpable, and her eventual reunion with Maribeth is bittersweet. Margaret's character highlights the generational and societal constraints faced by women, as well as the quiet endurance of maternal love.

Julie (Diner Waitress)

Julie is Maribeth's first friend in her new town, offering her shelter, advice, and a sense of belonging. As a single mother herself, Julie understands hardship and resilience. Her kindness and pragmatism help Maribeth navigate her new life, and her example of independence and strength is both comforting and inspiring.

Dr. McLean

Dr. McLean is the obstetrician who cares for Maribeth during her pregnancy. He is understanding and nonjudgmental, helping Maribeth access medical care and ultimately facilitating the adoption. His wisdom and empathy provide a stabilizing presence, and his role as a bridge between Maribeth and the Whittakers is crucial to the story's resolution.

Kate (the baby)

Kate is the child born of Maribeth's sacrifice and the Whittakers' longing. She represents the possibility of healing, the continuity of love, and the transformative power of selfless giving. Though too young to have agency, Kate's presence is the catalyst for the family's rebirth and the embodiment of the novel's central themes.

Plot Devices

Parallel Narratives of Loss and Renewal

The novel's structure alternates between the Whittakers' journey through grief and Maribeth's struggle with shame and exile. These parallel narratives converge as Tommy and Maribeth meet, their individual wounds becoming the foundation for mutual healing. The device of intersecting storylines allows the author to explore the universality of loss and the redemptive potential of human connection. The convergence of the two families through the adoption of Kate is both a literal and symbolic act of renewal, demonstrating that new life and hope can emerge from even the deepest sorrow.

The Gift Motif

The title's motif is woven throughout the narrative, from Annie's brief life as a "gift" to her family, to Maribeth's ultimate sacrifice in giving her child to the Whittakers. The act of giving—whether it is love, forgiveness, or a child—serves as the novel's central plot device, driving character development and thematic resonance. The motif is reinforced through holiday imagery, symbolic objects (like the Christmas tree), and the language of gratitude and blessing. The gift is not merely a physical object, but a transformative act that binds characters together and enables healing.

Coming-of-Age and Redemption

Both Tommy and Maribeth undergo profound coming-of-age journeys, forced to confront adult realities before their time. Their mistakes, losses, and acts of courage are depicted with empathy and realism, allowing for nuanced character development. The narrative structure emphasizes the possibility of redemption—not by erasing the past, but by learning from it and choosing to act with compassion and integrity. The story's resolution, with its focus on forgiveness and new beginnings, underscores the redemptive power of love and the importance of embracing life's uncertainties.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The novel employs foreshadowing through holiday rituals, dreams, and conversations about the future, subtly preparing the reader for both tragedy and renewal. Symbolic elements—such as the Christmas tree, Annie's room, and the act of naming the baby—reinforce the themes of memory, continuity, and the cyclical nature of life. The use of seasons and holidays as temporal markers underscores the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

Analysis

Danielle Steel's The Gift is a poignant exploration of how ordinary lives are upended by tragedy and transformed by acts of selfless love. Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, the novel interrogates the social constraints of the era—particularly for women—while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. Through the intertwined stories of the Whittaker family and Maribeth Robertson, Steel examines the ways in which grief can isolate and destroy, but also how compassion, forgiveness, and the willingness to give of oneself can restore hope and meaning. The novel's central message is that life's greatest gifts often come in unexpected forms, and that healing is possible when we open our hearts to others. In a modern context, The Gift remains relevant for its honest portrayal of loss, the complexities of family, and the enduring power of love to create new beginnings out of sorrow.

Last updated: June 25, 2025