Lecture Notes: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

About the Author

• Kazuo Ishiguro, born on November 8, 1954.
• Esteemed British novelist, screenwriter, musician, and short-story writer.
• Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.
• Themes: regret, subtle optimism.
• Genres: drama, historical fiction, science fiction.

Dystopian Fiction

• Definition: A "Bad Utopia" - unpleasant, nightmarish, often cruel.
• Common Features:
  • Oppressive authoritarian control.
  • Set in the future or alternate present.
  • Technological/scientific advances.
  • Loss of individuality/freedom.
  • Rebellion against the state.
  • Moral/ethical debate about a 'good' society.
  • Reflects contemporary social issues.
• Relation to Never Let Me Go:
  • Contains scientific advances, loss of freedom.
  • Focus on love and mortality over rebellion.
  • Characters accept fate, reflecting on human condition.

Typical Dystopian Features in Never Let Me Go

• Set in authoritarian state: No.
• Set in future or alternate present: No, set in past (late 1990s).
• Technological/scientific advances: Yes (implied).
• No individuality or freedom: Yes.
• Rebellion against state: No, strong internalized oppression.
• Moral/ethical debate: Yes.
• Concerns with social issues: Yes.

Quizzes

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

1. Kathy H.'s situation: Carer for donors.
2. Importance of Exchanges: Dependence for prized possessions.
3. "Tokens controversy": Reflects competition and internalized oppression.
4. Madame's reaction: Fear of students.
5. Miss Lucy's revelation: Students raised to be donors.
6. Gallery's impact: Cruelty symbolizing entrapment.

Part 2, Various Questions

• Root cause of Ruth & Kathy's friendship issues: Competition over Tommy.
• Norfolk's significance: Imaginary special place.
• Symbolism of "Never Let Me Go" song: Yearning for maternal love.
• Miss Lucy's advice to Tommy: Mistake in dismissing art's importance.
• "Told and not told" concept: Vague understanding of clone purpose.

Part 3, Chapters 21-23

• Guardians' mission: Prove clones have souls.
• Public blindness: Unaware/ignored clone conditions.
• Madame's fear: Represents humanity's ugliness.
• Fourth donation fear: Often fatal for donors.
• Kathy's trip to Norfolk: Grieving and reflecting loss.

Themes and Symbolism

• Oppression: Clones conditioned to accept fate.
• Human Condition: Search for meaning and identity.
• Symbols:
  • Forest behind Hailsham: Fear of unknown.
  • Students' artwork: Souls and individuality.
  • "Never Let Me Go" song: Maternal love and letting go.
  • The Cottages: Illusion of freedom and adulthood.

Character Exploration

• Kathy: Observer, caring, skilled carer, accepts fate.
• Tommy: Struggles with creativity, naive yet caring.
• Ruth: Charismatic, lacks confidence, reconciles with friends.

Important Quotes

1. "We took away your art because we thought it would reveal your souls." - Miss Emily.
2. "It was like when you make a move in chess..." - Kathy H.
3. "We all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we’ve lived through..." - Kathy H.

Timeline

• Key events from chapters 1-23, detailing Kathy's journey from Hailsham to becoming a carer.

Glossary

• Carer: Clones caring for donors.
• Complete: Clone's death after donations.
• Possible: Human model for a clone.

Conclusion

• Never Let Me Go explores complex themes of identity, fate, and societal roles under dystopian elements.