Uncovering the Motive: Why Did Gabriel Resort to Stealing Food in The Walking Dead?

Have you ever wondered why Gabriel, one of the most beloved characters in The Walking Dead, would go against his moral compass and steal food? The answer to this perplexing question is as complex as the character himself. In this article, we will uncover the reasons behind Gabriel’s unexpected actions and delve into the thought processes that led him to betray those he deeply cares about. Join us as we explore the intriguing question – Why did Gabriel steal the food in Twd?

The Background of Gabriel and His Story on The Walking Dead

Gabriel Stokes, also known as Father Gabriel, is a character in the popular TV show The Walking Dead. He is a priest who lived in a small town called Alexandria during the zombie apocalypse. The character is portrayed by Seth Gilliam and has been a part of the show since season five.

Before the outbreak, Gabriel was the pastor of his church and lived a sheltered life. When the apocalypse hit and people around him started turning into zombies, he locked himself in his church, too scared to face the reality outside. He survived for months by consuming canned food from his church pantry.

Eventually, Rick Grimes and his group stumbled upon Gabriel’s church looking for supplies and took him in. However, as time passed, Gabriel’s cowardice and selfishness were revealed as he betrayed Rick’s group multiple times for his own survival.

The Turning Point: Why Did Gabriel Steal The Food?

In season six of The Walking Dead, it was revealed that Gabriel had stolen food from the group’s dwindling supplies. This happened after Alexandria was overrun by zombies and everyone was struggling to survive. So why did he do it?

Gabriel has always been a conflicted character. On one hand, he wants to maintain his morals and values as a priest even in the midst of chaos. On the other hand, he is consumed by fear and self-preservation.

When Alexandria was falling apart, Gabriel found himself struggling with guilt for not doing enough to help defend the community. He felt like he had betrayed Rick’s group too many times already and wanted to make amends. Stealing food was his way of trying to contribute something valuable to the group and redeem himself.

The Aftermath: How Did Stealing Food Affect The Group?

Gabriel’s actions caused tension within Rick’s group as they discovered their supplies were missing. However, most members of the group, including Rick, understood where Gabriel was coming from and forgave him.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just Gabriel’s guilt that led to the theft. Another member of the community, a boy named Ron Anderson, also took advantage of the chaos to steal supplies for himself and his little brother. This eventually led to Ron’s downfall as he tried to take revenge on Rick for his father’s death and ended up getting killed.

Gabriel’s actions also brought attention to the lack of trust within the group and forced them to reevaluate their security measures. In fact, it was this incident that eventually led to Rick’s decision to form an alliance with another community called The Hilltop.

The Bigger Picture: Unraveling Gabriel’s Character Development

Gabriel’s character arc on The Walking Dead has been a rollercoaster ride. From being a cowardly and selfish man to becoming a trusted member of Rick’s group, he definitely had one of the most significant character developments in the show.

As Gabriel continued to live among Rick’s group and face numerous challenges with them, he slowly began to shed his fear and self-centeredness. He formed strong bonds with other members like Carl Grimes and Eugene Porter who saw past his flaws and accepted him for who he was.

In fact, stealing food was just one small step in Gabriel’s journey towards redemption. He went on to prove himself numerous times by bravely standing up against enemies like The Saviors and sacrificing his own safety for the greater good of the group.

Despite his controversial actions in stealing food from Rick’s group, Gabriel ultimately proved himself as a valuable member of their society. He learned from his mistakes and grew into a strong and brave character who fought alongside his friends for survival.

His journey on The Walking Dead is a testament to the fact that anyone, even someone consumed by fear and guilt, can find redemption and become a hero in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.

In the post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead, survival is the top priority for the characters. Food is scarce and every meal can mean the difference between life and death. So when one of the show’s main characters, Gabriel, was seen stealing food, viewers were left wondering why he would jeopardize his own survival by committing such an act. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Gabriel’s actions and delve into the underlying themes and character development within The Walking Dead.

Gabriel’s Guilt and Self-Punishment

Gabriel Stokes, also known as Father Gabriel, joined The Walking Dead in season 5 as a priest who has secluded himself in his church since the outbreak began. Throughout his time on the show, Gabriel has struggled with feelings of guilt and self-punishment. He believes that God is punishing him for locking his church doors to his community during the initial stages of the apocalypse.

This guilt has led Gabriel to sabotage his own happiness by pushing away those who genuinely care for him. We see this pattern play out when he refuses to allow Rosita to enter his church after she sought refuge from a herd of walkers. By stealing food from Alexandria, Gabriel can satisfy his primal need for survival while also punishing himself for what he perceives as sins in his past.

Fear of Being Ostracized

Gabriel has always been an outsider within Rick’s group – both literally and figuratively. He was not part of their original group and still struggles to fully integrate into their tight-knit community. Given this ongoing fear of being rejected or cast out [from] [within] [among] [into] a group he desperately wants approval from, it is understandable why he would go to great lengths to conceal any acts that may put him at risk for possible punishment.

Stealing food could be seen as going against the moral values of the community and may result in strict disciplinary actions, including banishment. For someone who values belonging and acceptance, this fear of being ostracized can be a strong motivator for Gabriel’s actions.

Survival Instincts

The apocalypse has brought out a different side of all the characters in The Walking Dead. It is a constant struggle between holding onto humanity or embracing [embraced by] [embraced with] animalistic survival instincts. For Gabriel, stealing food may have been an act of desperation to keep himself alive.

He has witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of living in a world overrun by walkers. He knows that each day is a battle for survival and those without access to food and resources are often left at a disadvantage. In this sense, Gabriel’s actions can be seen as an instinctual response to ensure his own survival.

Redemption and Sacrifice

Throughout the series, Gabriel has been on a journey towards redemption. He wants to redeem himself for his past mistakes and prove his worth to the group. By stealing food, he sees this as a sacrifice – he is giving back to the community that he feels he has wronged.

Furthermore, in the episode where he steals food, we see him giving some of it away to Negan – one of The Walking Dead’s main villains at the time. This selfless act can be interpreted as Gabriel’s way of sacrificing himself for the greater good – possibly as atonement for locking his church doors during the outbreak.

The Power Struggle Within Alexandria

Gabriel’s actions may also stem from issues within Alexandria itself – specifically power struggles between Rick’s group and Deanna (the leader of Alexandria). Prior to pulling off this theft operation with Spencer (Deanna’s son), Spencer had expressed distrust towards Rick and his group. By teaming up with Spencer, Gabriel may have been trying to build trust with Deanna’s family and establish himself as a valuable member of the community.

Moreover, Deanna had previously expressed that they were running out of food and would soon have to start rationing. If Deanna’s group was unable to provide food for their residents, it could lead to chaos and undermine her leadership. By taking food from Rick’s group, Gabriel may have been trying to protect the community by ensuring that they have enough supplies to survive.

In conclusion, Gabriel’s actions of stealing food were motivated by a combination of guilt, fear, survival instincts, and a desire for redemption. His character development throughout the series has been driven by these internal conflicts, making him an interesting and complex character within The Walking Dead universe. As the show continues to explore themes of morality and survival in a post-apocalyptic world, we can only expect more layers to be uncovered in the character of Gabriel.

1. What motivated Gabriel to steal the food in The Walking Dead?
Answer: It is believed that Gabriel stole the food out of desperation and fear.

2. Why did Gabriel’s actions cause tension and conflict in the group?
Answer: Gabriel’s actions caused tension and conflict as he went against the group’s morals and values of not stealing from others.

3. Did Gabriel have a valid reason for stealing the food?
Answer: Although Gabriel justified his actions by claiming it was for survival, it can be argued that he could have found another solution instead of resorting to theft.

4. How did stealing the food affect Gabriel’s relationship with Rick and the rest of the group?
Answer: This act of betrayal caused strain on Gabriel’s relationship with Rick and other members, as they felt that they could no longer trust him.

5. Was there any justifiable reason for stealing from another group during a zombie apocalypse?
Answer: No, in a time where everyone is struggling to survive, taking resources from others only adds to the chaos and can result in unnecessary violence.

6. Did stealing ultimately lead to consequences for Gabriel in The Walking Dead?
Answer: Yes, after being confronted by Rick about his actions, Gabriel was forced to redeem himself by helping defend their community against an attack.

In conclusion, the act of stealing food is a complex issue that cannot be justified by a single answer. In the case of Gabriel from The Walking Dead, his moral struggles and fear played a significant role in his decision to steal food for himself and his congregation. However, it ultimately led to dire consequences for both him and the community.

Through Gabriel’s actions, we can see the blurred lines between right and wrong in a post-apocalyptic world where survival becomes the top priority. It also highlights the impact of guilt and shame on one’s psyche, as seen with Gabriel’s growing guilt after stealing the food. This serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences, and we must face them.

Moreover, this situation shines a light on the scarcity of resources in times of crisis and how it can drive individuals to desperate measures. It raises ethical questions about whether it is ever justifiable to steal from others in order to survive.

Furthermore, Gabriel’s actions also reflect the challenges of maintaining personal values and principles in an unpredictable and chaotic environment. It serves as a warning that even those who were once deemed morally upright can be pushed to their limits when faced with extreme circumstances.

In conclusion, Gabriel’s decision to steal food may have been driven by good intentions, but it ultimately caused harm.

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Erick Benitez

In 2003, the Coast Sushi Bar was founded, quickly becoming a beloved fixture in its trendy neighborhood, appreciated for its exceptional sushi and vibrant BYOB atmosphere.

The chefs at Coast have developed a mastery in blending subtle yet intricate flavors, establishing a reputation for pioneering innovative New-Japanese cuisine with only the finest global ingredients.

Building on decades of culinary success, the founder launched a new endeavor in 2024—a blog focused on Japanese snacks. This blog marks a significant shift from restaurateur to food blogger, motivated by a desire to share comprehensive insights into Japanese culinary arts and snack culture. The content covers traditional snacks, the evolution of snack culture in Japan, and the global influence and adaptation of these snacks.

Each blog post reflects the founder's commitment to quality and attention to detail, mirroring the standards of Coast Sushi Bar.

Aimed at both aficionados and novices of Japanese cuisine, the blog serves as a resource for deepening readers’ knowledge and appreciation of Japan's rich and diverse food culture.